Synopsis
The Karnataka government is weighing options for a second airport in Bengaluru, with no location finalized yet. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is advocating for Hosur, located 40 km away. Karnataka officials are exploring multiple potential sites, including Tumakuru, to ease air traffic congestion and accommodate growing demand.Key Takeaways
- Karnataka government is assessing sites for a second airport in Bengaluru.
- Tamil Nadu is promoting Hosur as a location for the new airport.
- Increasing traffic congestion at Bengaluru International Airport is a concern.
- Multiple potential sites are under consideration, including Tumakuru.
- No final decision has been made yet regarding the airport's location.
Bengaluru, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Karnataka government is currently evaluating options for a second airport in Bengaluru, but has not yet determined a specific site for this significant project. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu administration is actively advocating for the inclusion of Hosur, situated just 40 km from Bengaluru.
Responding to inquiries about the situation, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated: "The call for an airport in Hosur, a border city in Tamil Nadu, has been ongoing for quite some time. They have put forth a proposal for establishing an international airport there."
He continued, "The traffic at Bengaluru airport is on the rise. While it should ideally take around 40 minutes to reach cities like Chennai and Mangaluru by air, delays due to air traffic congestion mean flights from Bengaluru International Airport often take close to two hours. Our aim is to offer distinct domestic and international services to minimize waiting times," he elaborated.
"The consideration of a second airport is crucial to accommodate a growing number of international flights. Numerous major cities globally boast multiple airports. For instance, Navi Mumbai Airport is currently being developed in Mumbai, and Delhi operates multiple airports. Given the rising population in Karnataka and advancements in industries, education, and healthcare, we believe that a second airport is vital. It remains uncertain whether the Central government will authorize our proposal or allocate it to Tamil Nadu," Parameshwara remarked.
"We will be submitting a proposal, and Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil is actively engaged in this process. The exact location has yet to be determined, and we are evaluating two or three potential sites in Karnataka, in line with civil aviation regulations," he added.
"We have identified Tumakuru, a neighboring city to Bengaluru, as a potential site for the second airport. Other locations have also been proposed. Ultimately, the civil aviation authorities will select the site that is most technically viable. There was a prior attempt to establish Bengaluru’s first international airport in Bidadi, on the outskirts, but the DGCA dismissed it due to technical issues. We will have to see how the authorities assess the current proposals," he explained.
Tumakuru is also the hometown of Parameshwara.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar mentioned on Wednesday that the Industries Minister is in the process of identifying a suitable site for Bengaluru’s second airport. "To date, he has not discussed this with either myself or the Chief Minister. No definitive decision has been reached on this matter," he stated.
