The state government has identified a site near Nelamangala-Kunigal along National Highway 75 for Bengaluru’s proposed second international airport. This decision follows a thorough evaluation of multiple locations to address the city’s increasing passenger and cargo demands. The move aims to follow the examples of Delhi and Mumbai, which both have multiple airports to meet growing traffic needs.
After considering seven to eight potential sites, the area between Nelamangala and Kunigal has emerged as the most suitable, based on technical standards from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). A key factor is the rapid growth in air traffic at the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
In a series of discussions, the latest being the 11th round last Friday, various sites were reviewed, including Harohalli on Kanakapura Road, Bidadi, and Nelamangala. While Harohalli, near the Tamil Nadu border, was considered for southern Bengaluru, it lacked significant development potential. Nelamangala, in contrast, is viewed as more favorable due to its development prospects and minimal disruption to connectivity on Mysore and Kanakapura Roads.
The Nelamangala site, located 30 km from Bengaluru near the first toll on NH 75, offers excellent road and rail connectivity. Additionally, a significant portion of government land is available in the area, making the project more viable. Once a final decision is reached, the proposal will be sent to the AAI.
Officials noted that the site meets 15 key criteria required for the new airport. The restriction on building a new airport within 150 km of the existing KIA is set to expire in 2035, making Nelamangala a strategic location for future development.
