Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said Bengaluru's proposed second airport will be developed in the southern part of the city as the state government moves to reduce congestion at Kempegowda International Airport. He said officials have been instructed to prepare a proposal for the Centre after identifying a location where land acquisition costs are lower, the terrain is technically suitable and not excessively hilly.
Shivakumar clarified that no final site has been selected yet, but confirmed that the airport will be located in South Bengaluru, broadly in line with locations considered earlier. He also stressed that the government intends to minimise displacement by ensuring that villages are not affected by the project.
The Chief Minister chaired a meeting on the proposed airport with Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil and senior officials. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said, "Regarding the airport, we reviewed the earlier proposals. We have instructed officials to ensure that no villages are disturbed and that residents are not displaced."
He added, "Officials have been asked to submit a proposal to the central government after identifying a location where land costs are low, the terrain is technically feasible and not too hilly."
Emphasising the government's approach to land acquisition, Shivakumar said, "We want a site where land prices are affordable so that the financial burden on the state is reduced and where villages do not have to be relocated. A few isolated houses can be compensated, but we do not want entire villages to be displaced for the project."
In the state budget presented in March, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced plans to develop a second airport in Bengaluru to ease pressure on Kempegowda International Airport, which has become India's third-busiest airport. He had said a feasibility report would be prepared after obtaining technical guidance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
AAI officials have already inspected the three locations shortlisted earlier for Bengaluru's second international airport—two sites along Kanakapura Road near Harohalli in South Bengaluru and another on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala, west of the city.
The state government has reiterated that the airport will be developed in South Bengaluru, with the final location to be selected based on affordability, technical viability and minimal impact on existing villages.
