BENGALURU: With the State Government busy scouting for a second airport in Bengaluru, now the final location may seem to be near Nelamangala. Sources say that after extensive evaluation and consideration, the state government has chosen a site near Nelamangala-Kunigal along National Highway 75 for the construction of a proposed second international airport.
With the aim of addressing the growing development needs of Bengaluru, increasing passenger traffic, and cargo pressure, the state initiated the process of building a second international airport, after Delhi and Mumbai. The government had examined seven to eight locations around the city for this purpose. Based on technical standards set by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the site between Nelamangala and Kunigal seems to be finalised.
Sources say that the air traffic at the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been increasing. Keeping Bengaluru’s future needs in mind, the 11th round of discussions regarding the development of the second international airport was held last Friday. In a meeting chaired last month by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, various sites, including Harohalli on Kanakapura Road, Bidadi, and Nelamangala, were reviewed.
While Harohalli near Kanakapura Road was considered for serving passengers in the southern part of Bengaluru, it was found that this area, located near the Tamil Nadu border, lacks scope for significant development. From the perspective of overall development, the Nelamangala area is seen as more suitable.
If the airport is established here, it will not interfere with connectivity on Mysore Road and Kanakapura Road. The current NICE Road, along with the proposed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), will provide better connectivity to passengers from the southern part of Bengaluru.
The site near Nelamangala is about 30 kilometres from the city and starts near the first toll on National Highway 75. It is also well-connected to the national highway and the railway line. Additionally, there is a significant amount of government land available in this area, making the project more feasible, according to a senior official.
Nelamangala’s strategic position as a gateway to north Karnataka makes the new airport more accessible to the region –Official
Once a final decision is made, a proposal will be sent to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Officials claimed the current location meets 15 key criteria necessary for the establishment of the new airport. The restriction on building a new airport within a 150 km radius of the existing international airport expires in 2035.
An official said, “The presence of the Bengaluru-Hassan-Mangaluru railway line, along with an ongoing doubling project, will enhance port connectivity and facilitate easier cargo transport. Nelamangala’s strategic position as a gateway to northern Karnataka makes the new airport more accessible. It will also offer convenience to industrial areas like Dabaspet and Tumakuru, while providing easier connectivity to the existing airport.”
