Karnataka Advances Plans for Second Bengaluru Airport, Identifies Seven Potential Sites
As per Karnataka's Industries Minister, M B Patil, the state is preparing a plan for a second airport in Bengaluru. The Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited has zeroed in on seven possible sites for this new facility.
Patil disclosed it after meeting with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. He said the formal proposal will be sent to the Airports Authority of India after consulting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“The final location would consider various parameters such as passenger density, connectivity, industrial growth, cargo potential, and environmental factors like rivers, hills, and biodiversity,” Patil said.
In July, Patil mentioned that the proposed airport would require about 4,500-5,000 acres of land, which should be able to handle 100 million passengers per annum. The move is also significant as the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli is likely to reach saturation point by 2035; it currently handles 52 million passengers annually. However, with an exclusivity clause in the state government agreement with Bengaluru International Airport Limited, there is little possibility of a new airport taking off before 2033.
