Karnataka Minister MB Patil Announces Plans for Second Airport in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 10: MB Patil, the Minister for Infrastructure in Karnataka, announced that Bengaluru will get a second international airport. This new airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers every year.
Speaking at a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Patil said that around 4,500-5,000 acres of land will be needed for the new airport. A high-level committee will decide the exact location, considering various factors.
Currently, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is the third busiest in India, after Mumbai and Delhi. It can handle 52 million passengers and 0.71 million tonnes of cargo annually. With expansions, it could handle up to 110 million passengers and 1.10 million tonnes of cargo. However, by 2035, KIA will reach its maximum capacity, and no more runways can be added.
Patil mentioned that the Tamil Nadu government’s plan to build an airport at Hosur will not affect Karnataka’s plans. He emphasized the importance of considering ecological factors, connectivity, passenger load, and industrial growth when deciding the new airport’s location.
Possible sites for the new airport include Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, Magadi, Doddaballapura, Dabaspete, and Tumakuru. The exclusivity clause with BIAL, which prevents building another airport within 150 KM, ends in 2033. If the process starts now, the new airport can be ready by then.
Patil also mentioned that cities like Mumbai and Delhi have their second airports 35-40 km away from the city center. The decision for Bengaluru’s second airport will aim to support growth and improve the city’s livability.
Additionally, Patil had a telephonic conversation with Union Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy about Karnataka’s industrial development. They plan to meet soon to discuss bringing large industries, including semiconductor manufacturing units, to the state.
