Behind closed doors, Cabinet clears sports complex at Bengaluru's Jakkur Aerodrome

In a move shrouded in secrecy, the state government has proposed to construct an international sports complex at the 205-acre Jakkur Aerodrome in north Bengaluru. The proposal — still at the conceptual stage — is expected to sound the death knell for the Jakkur Flying Training School (JFTS), a heritage aviation institution inaugurated in 1949.

At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 6, 2025, the state Cabinet had decided to build what it described as a sports complex and training institute at Jakkur Aerodrome.

Notably, the government has neither disclosed the agenda nor published the resolution passed at the meeting, as it typically does on several other subjects. 

The secrecy assumes significance because the land on which the flying training school is located was granted by the Maharaja of Mysore strictly for aviation purposes. Further, the Karnataka High Court, in an order in December 2017, had also directed that only flying-related activities be permitted at the aerodrome. 

Following the Cabinet decision, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports — which is the custodian of the aerodrome — has been entrusted with preparing the plans for the sports complex and submitting a petition to the high court outlining the government’s proposal.

In a letter dated December 20, 2025, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh wondered why the sports department had not acted on the proposal despite Cabinet approval on November 6. She directed officials to inform the high court of the government’s decision and to submit a sketch of the proposed sports complex.

Sources say the government plans to develop facilities such as a mini golf course, tennis courts and a convention centre at the site. The move is also expected to benefit private developers who have been unable to undertake high-rise constructions in the vicinity due to air traffic restrictions. With premium FAR policy, the real estate lobby was all the more active. 

Clearly not happy with the new proposal, aviation experts argue that the government should instead diversify the aerodrome by promoting aero-sports such as paramotoring and paragliding, alongside pilot training, to foster air-mindedness among citizens rather than diverting the land for non-aviation purposes.

The government is committing infanticide by killing its own child the flying training school. It is incumbent upon us to pass on heritage sites monuments and institutions built by the Maharaja of Mysore and other visionary leaders to future generations. It would be a tragedy if the government unwisely bulldozes its way through one of Bengaluru’s jewels. Kannadatva is not just about pride in language; it also means standing up for our culture Capt GR Gopinath aviation pioneer