OLS survey for Hosur airport ready; Tamil Nadu govt to decide on location in a month

Chennai: An Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey, commissioned by the Tamil Nadu government to assess the airspace in the Krishnagiri region controlled by the Ministry of Defence, is believed to have concluded that both shortlisted sites are suitable to house the exclusive airport planned for Hosur.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of both locations -- villages near the private airport owned by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Belagondapalli, and a site north of Shoolagiri near Hosur -- if the airport were to be established there.

Sources familiar with the matter told DH that the state government will hold a series of meetings over the next couple of weeks before presenting the matter to Chief Minister M K Stalin for a final decision on the location of the Hosur airport, which is expected in a month's time.

The OLS survey assessed the airspace at the shortlisted sites and since the entire airspace in the region is controlled by the Ministry of Defence.

“Prima facie, the report indicates that both sites are suitable. The government will thoroughly review the study before deciding on the location,” the source added.

"There are slight variations, and both locations have their pros and cons. The final decision on the location will be left to the government, which will zero in on the best site for the airport,” the source said.

Another source mentioned that both shortlisted locations are close to the proposed section of the Bengaluru Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) in Tamil Nadu, which is being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The road will bring Hosur closer to Bengaluru and other towns.

The source also added that the Krishnagiri district administration will begin the land acquisition process once the location is finalized. Both sites have been cleared by the Airports Authority of India as suitable for building the greenfield airport.

The OLS survey covers a radius of up to 20 km from the proposed runway’s reference point and uses modern equipment to measure the height and location of obstacles. Both proposed sites are near sensitive defence-controlled airspace, as Bengaluru is home to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

DH had reported on May 7 that the Tamil Nadu government has already written to the Defence Ministry seeking permission for relaxation of the airspace in Hosur for commercial operations.

In a parallel development, the Tamil Nadu government is also in talks with TAAL to convert its facility into Hosur airport through a joint venture for airport development. One of the shortlisted sites is adjacent to the TAAL airport.

Industry associations in Hosur are supporting Belagondapalli since it is located on plains and is in proximity to several roads connecting the Tamil Nadu town with Bengaluru.

Tamil Nadu requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) due to the concessionaire agreement signed between the airport operator and the Union Government, which prohibits any such facility within 150 km until 2033.