M B Patil, the Karnataka cabinet minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, has said his government is considering six locations for building a second international airport in Bengaluru.
The new airport will be capable of handling 100 million passengers annually according to reports. Patil said potential sites include Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, Magadi, Doddaballapura, Dabaspet and Tumakuru. The Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), has stipulated that no new international airport should be built within a 150km radius until 2033. However, starting the planning and development process now could see the new airport ready by 2033 to meet these stipulations.
Patil had earlier said that areas such as Sarjapura and Kanakapura Road were also strong contenders if passenger load was the primary consideration. It is believed these locations are well-suited to handle the high volume of passengers expected in the future. If connectivity to the existing KIA is prioritised then Tumakuru and Dabaspet would be the leading candidates. These locations offer better connectivity options, making them ideal for facilitating smooth travel between the two airports.
A high-level committee will decide on the location of Bengaluru’s second airport. The selected site for the new airport must be free from geographical impediments like hills, rivers, seas or high-rise buildings, according to Patil. Additionally, robust connectivity through state and national highways, rail and metro networks would be essential to ensuring the airport's accessibility and efficiency.
It has been reported that approximately 4,500-5,000 acres of land would be required for the proposed airport. This significant land parcel would be necessary to accommodate the infrastructure and facilities of the new airport. Ecological considerations will also be crucial when deciding on the airport's location.
The KIA in Bengaluru is currently the third-busiest airport in India after Mumbai and Delhi. It has an annual capacity of handling 52 million passengers and 0.71 million tonnes of cargo. Planned expansions could increase these figures to 110 million passengers and 1.10 million tonnes of cargo. However, the airport is projected to reach its maximum handling capacity by 2035, with no further scope for runway expansions due to existing limitations.
(With inputs from multiple news sources)