The development of a second airport for India's tech capital, Bengaluru, faces a procedural pause. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has clarified that it has not received any formal proposal under the Greenfield Airports (GFA) policy for the project. This comes despite recent pre-feasibility studies identifying three potential sites for the new facility.
Exclusivity Clause Poses Major Hurdle
The central ministry, in a response to questions raised by Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan, highlighted a significant legal constraint. A concession agreement between the Union government and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) stipulates that no new or existing airport can be developed within a 150-kilometer radius of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for 25 years from its opening. The only exceptions to this rule are the domestic airports in Mysuru and Hassan.
This effectively means that any plan to build a new airport within this zone, or even reopen the old HAL airport, before the 25th anniversary of KIA would require explicit consent from BIAL. Given that KIA commenced operations in 2008, this exclusivity period will extend until approximately 2033.
State's Vision and Ongoing Preparations
Driven by the city's explosive growth and the anticipated saturation of KIA's capacity, the Karnataka government is proactively planning for the future. The state aims to commission a second airport after the exclusivity clause expires post-2033. To this end, authorities have shortlisted three locations for detailed evaluation:
- Two sites on Kanakapura Road.
- One site on Tumakuru Road.
In a recent move to advance the project, the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC) has floated a tender. The objective is to appoint a consultant who will prepare a detailed strategic and technical site feasibility report for the three shortlisted locations. The final decision on the site will be heavily influenced by the findings of this comprehensive report.
The Path Forward for Bengaluru's Aviation Infrastructure
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had conducted preliminary pre-feasibility studies a couple of months ago and submitted its report to the state government. However, the ball is now in the state's court. The next critical step is for the Karnataka government or a private developer to submit a formal proposal to the Centre based on these and the upcoming detailed studies.
For now, the vision of a second Bengaluru airport remains in the planning and study phase. All future developments hinge on navigating the contractual agreement with BIAL and building a compelling case based on rigorous feasibility reports. The city's long-term aviation infrastructure expansion is firmly on the agenda, but its realization is subject to a complex interplay of policy, contracts, and detailed technical assessment.
