Bengaluru eyes 2nd international airport: AAI report soon; Kanakapura and Nelamangala sites under review | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is expected to submit its expert report on Bengaluru’s second international airport within the next two or three days, said industries and infrastructure development minister MB Patil Thursday.The AAI team had inspected two potential sites — one along Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru South and one near NelamangalaKunigal Road in Bengaluru Rural — in April. “Once we receive the report, it will be discussed by the cabinet before a final decision is taken,” Patil said.He indicated AAI may recommend both sites it examined. “But airport construction companies will also evaluate the financial feasibility of the proposed locations,” he said. Insisting that the process would not be arbitrary, Patil said, “It’s not that they will build an airport wherever the govt allots land.”He explained that the govt had initiated preliminary steps keeping in mind an existing clause that bars launching another international airport within a 150km radius of Kempe-gowda International Airport (KIA) until 2033.“If we begin the groundwork now, the second international airport will be ready by then. A project of this scale typically takes a minimum of five to six years to complete,” he said. “Currently, only New Delhi (Noida) and Mumbai (Navi Mumbai) have two international airports.”He said Karnataka would consult developers of those airports for guidance, while admitting the govt is aware of Tamil Nadu’s plans to build an airport in Hosur, close to the Karnataka border. As for possible locations, Patil said legislators from North Karnataka have proposed Tumakuru, while others have suggested sites in South Bengaluru.Passenger density“However, passenger density, industrial requirements, and several other factors will be taken into consideration. Ultimately, the decision will be made purely on merit, keeping in mind convenience and future demand,” the minister said.
