One of the most busiest metropolitan cities in the country is all set to get a new airport . Bangalore will get its second airport in the city considering the future development of the city. Karnataka infrastructure minister M patel has told the officials to make a feasibility report for the same. The meeting also had N Manjula, secretary of the infrastructure development department, BC Satish, managing director of Karnataka Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, and DP Prakash, executive director to discuss how it is necessary for the city to have a new airport considering the rapid growth in the city .
Patil highlighted that Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) ranks as the third busiest airport in India, accommodating 37 million passengers and over 400,000 tonnes of cargo in the previous year. With such significant traffic, the minister underscored the necessity for a second airport to handle future expansion. When KIA was established, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) entered into an agreement with the government to uphold a 150-kilometre exclusivity zone for 25 years, set to conclude in 2033. However, with only nine years remaining on this agreement.
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Mr Patil also put a tweet stating “New Airport plans on the horizon. I held a preliminary discussion with officials regarding the construction of a second airport to address the future needs of our rapidly growing global metropolis. I have directed the authorities to submit a feasibility report for the new airport.”
Previously, Kempegowda International Airport CEO Hari Marar advocated for an additional airport in Bengaluru, citing projections of 92 million passengers annually in the next decade and the pressing need for another airport. Marar acknowledged the complexities involved in acquiring land for such an infrastructure project in a city like Bengaluru, emphasising the critical importance of enhancing connectivity and mobility while planning ahead for the future.
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The introduction of a second airport will not only help balance air traffic but also stimulate industrial expansion beyond Bengaluru, thereby encouraging regional development. The presence of an extra airport will enhance urban infrastructure, attract increased investments, and boost overall connectivity
Refurbishment of terminal 1 .
Bengaluru International Airport Corporation (BIAL) has commenced the refurbishment of Terminal 1 at KIA, which has been operational since 2008 and currently caters exclusively to domestic flights. The renovation project, scheduled to begin in August, will modernize various systems and amenities that have been in operation for 16 years. This undertaking will be executed in stages to ensure uninterrupted flight operations, with the possibility of relocating some services to Terminal 2 if required. The objective is to finish the renovation by the conclusion of 2026.
In November 2022, Kempegowda International Airport inaugurated its second terminal, which currently serves international airlines alongside a select few domestic carriers. The initial phase of Terminal 2’s construction is estimated to have cost around Rs. 13,000 crores, with a built-up area of approximately 250,000 square meters. An additional 441,000 square meters will be incorporated during the terminal’s second phase.
Possible locations for the Bengaluru airport
Patil indicated that the state is in the initial phases of pinpointing appropriate sites for the new airport, taking cues from cities such as Mumbai and Goa, where multiple airports have been effectively established. If a second airport within the same city is permitted, the division of air traffic between the two airports must be well-defined.
Patil previously emphasized the need to evaluate the feasibility of air traffic for airports near the proposed second airport in Bengaluru. The selected site must provide ample land for a fully operational airport with provisions for future expansion. Initially, there was consideration for reopening the old HAL airport; however, concerns over limited space for growth prompted the government to explore alternative possibilities.
Earlier, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar had suggested constructing the airport in his native district of Tumkur. In January, he mentioned that more than 8,000 acres of land across Tumakuru, Koratagere, Madhugiri, and Sira taluks were available for the airport project.
