If everything goes as planned, Bengaluru will get a second airport by 2033. The Karnataka government will soon convene a meeting to decide the location for the proposed airport, with Sarjapura, Kanakapura Road, Tumkur and Dabaspete being the strong contenders.
"If we prioritise passenger load, areas such as Sarjapura and Kanakapura Road are strong contenders. On the other hand, if connectivity to the existing airport becomes a priority, places like Tumkur and Dabaspete will be in the lead," Minister for Infrastructure M.B. Patil said on Sunday.
He said the next departmental meeting will discuss these considerations and that the matter will also be taken up in the cabinet meeting.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is the operator of the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) which is the third busiest airport in the country, following Delhi and Mumbai.
Last year the airport handled 37.5 million passengers and over 4,00,000 tonne of cargo. By 2033, the KIA is expected to reach its maximum passenger handling capacity.
The exclusivity clause with the BIAL, which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-kilometer radius, ends in 2032, allowing the potential development of a new airport by 2033.
With only nine years left on this agreement, planning for a second airport has become imperative, Patil had recently said.
The government has already initiated the planning process, considering the time required for land acquisition and compensation for landowners.
In 2020, the Bengaluru Chamber of Commerce had urged the state government to build a new airport for the city. It highlighted that a second airport would enhance connectivity and affordability while promoting inclusive development in the region.
