Bengaluru’s Second International Airport To Take 7-8 Years to Build: Kanakapura or Nelamangala?

The Karnataka government has taken steps to address the growing demand for air travel by planning a second international airport in Bengaluru. This move aims to relieve the pressure on the current Kempegowda International Airport, which is nearing its capacity limits. The state has pinpointed three possible sites for the new airport and is awaiting final approval from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, operational since 2008, has seen a significant rise in passenger traffic, with a 9% increase in 2024 alone, reaching 40.73 million passengers. This trend highlights the necessity for an additional airport to support future growth and maintain connectivity.

The proposed locations include two sites along Kanakapura Road in southern Bengaluru, which are strategically positioned near the existing airport and lie within the Bangalore Urban and Ramanagara districts. One site is adjacent to the Bengaluru Metro's Green Line terminal station. The land for these sites is sized at 4,800 acres and 5,000 acres. A third site along Kunigal Road in Nelamangala boasts around 5,200 acres available for the project. The state government has committed to providing a minimum of 4,500 acres for the selected site.

To ensure the chosen location is suitable for construction and economically viable, a preliminary assessment will be conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The future airport must be within a 50-km radius of Bengaluru's city center, with vital access to major roads and highways.

State Heavy Industries Minister M B Patil said that the need for this development is due to the operational constraints of the current airport and the traffic shared among various aviation entities in the region. He noted that the current exclusivity clause, which limits new international airports within 150 km of Kempegowda International Airport until 2033, will soon expire. This expiration is significant as the existing airport is projected to handle up to 100 million passengers by 2030. Patil's planning for the second airport reflects the government's commitment to meet the rising air travel demands in Bengaluru.

The initiative for a second international airport in Bengaluru not only addresses the immediate need for capacity expansion but also signifies future readiness. Construction is anticipated to span seven to eight years, demonstrating the government's proactive stance in bolstering Bengaluru's infrastructure alongside its growth.