Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday reviewed the plans for Bengaluru's second airport, with Harohalli reportedly emerging as the leading contender among the proposed sites. The review meeting, attended by senior officials from the state government and the Airports Authority of India, focused on the feasibility and timeline for the new airport, which is expected to ease congestion at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
Harohalli Leads the Race
According to sources, Harohalli, located about 60 km from Bengaluru on the Kanakapura Road, has been shortlisted as the frontrunner. The site offers advantages such as proximity to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor and availability of land. Other locations considered include Bidadi, Dobbaspet, and Nelamangala, but Harohalli's connectivity and lower displacement of residents gave it an edge, said an official who attended the meeting.
CM Shivakumar directed the infrastructure department to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within three months, emphasizing the need for a modern facility with a capacity of 50 million passengers per annum initially, expandable to 100 million. “We want a world-class airport that can handle the city’s growing air traffic for the next 30 years,” he stated.
Timeline and Investment
The state government aims to complete the first phase by 2029, with an estimated investment of Rs 25,000 crore. The airport will be built as a greenfield project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Shivakumar said the government would expedite land acquisition and clearances to meet the deadline.
Bengaluru's current airport, KIA, handled over 40 million passengers in 2023-24, operating beyond its designed capacity of 25 million. The second airport is expected to split the traffic, with KIA focusing on international flights and the new facility handling domestic and cargo operations.
Economic Impact
Experts believe the second airport will boost real estate and economic development in southern Bengaluru. Harohalli is already home to an industrial area and is close to the proposed Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway. “This will transform the region into a major economic hub,” said a senior official from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board.
The CM also discussed the need for a rapid transit link connecting the new airport to the city, possibly via a high-speed rail or metro extension. The government plans to integrate the airport with the upcoming suburban rail network.
Next Steps
The DPR will include environmental impact assessments and a detailed financial model. The state government will seek approval from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation once the report is ready. Shivakumar assured that the project would be completed without cost overruns and within the stipulated time frame.
