Government will finalise location for second airport after investors' meet: Shivakumar

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government will finalise the location for Bengaluru’s second international airport only after the Global Investors Meet (GIM), scheduled for February 11. 

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the commerce and industries department had held a preliminary meeting to shortlist the locations and that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take the final decision after consulting the Cabinet ministers. 

Once the government shortlists the location, the Ministry of Civil Aviation undertakes a separate study to assess the technical feasibility of building the new airport. 

Last year, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) identified seven potential locations, including Harohalli, Dobbspet, Doddaballapur, Nelamangala and Magadi for the new airport. Subsequent meetings primarily focused on locations situated along Nelamangala-Mangaluru National Highway (NH 75) and Kanakapura Road, stretching toward Mysuru Road. 

On Wednesday, Home Minister Parameshwara confirmed that 2-3 locations had been shortlisted. 

“I have put forth my request, but the civil aviation ministry has prescribed some guidelines for the selection of location. Before Devanahalli was finalised, Bidadi was proposed for building the Kempegowda International Airport. The place was ruled out for technical reasons. This time, we have to wait and watch.” 

Shivakumar, who also holds Bengaluru Development portfolio, has been reportedly in favour of building the airport in the city’s southern direction while Home Minister G Parameshwara wants the project to be closer to his home district. “The chief minister is yet to hold a meeting on this subject. Some are making false claims to boost real estate value,” a senior officer said. 

Both the western and southern directions of Bengaluru have their pros and cons. While the Nelamangala region is close to the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), some government officials believe an airport in this part of the city would help steer growth toward Tumakuru, comparing how Bengaluru’s existing airport has benefited Andhra Pradesh. 

There is also considerable support for bringing the airport to Bengaluru’s southern direction, as residents in this area currently travel the longest to reach the existing airport. 

Additionally, it is close to Electronics City and Sarjapur Road, both of which are growing rapidly. However, there are concerns that building an airport in this region could lead to the destruction of hillocks, elephant corridors, wildlife habitats, and reserve forests, either directly or indirectly.