AAI assesses two sites as Bengaluru eyes second airport

Bengaluru: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials, on Tuesday, conducted site visits to two of the three proposed locations for Bengaluru’s planned second airport. Both sites are located off Kanakapura Road and form part of the AAI’s ongoing evaluation process to determine the most suitable location.

Following the inspections, the AAI team met with Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil to discuss the project’s advancement. During the meeting, officials emphasized the growing pressure on Kempegowda International Airport and the city’s increasing industrial activity as key reasons for the new airport.

Minister Patil reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transparency throughout the site selection phase.

The inspection team included senior AAI personnel from its headquarters, such as General Manager Vikram Singam, Joint General Manager K Srinivas Rao, Assistant General Manager Manuj Bharadwaj, and Senior Managers Sach Duranand, Santosh Kumar Bharathi, and Amaan Chhipa. Their evaluation will continue on Wednesday with a visit to the third shortlisted site, situated off the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road.

Patil noted that the final decision on the airport’s location will depend on Bengaluru’s specific future needs and the conclusions of the AAI’s detailed study.

The three shortlisted locations include two near Chudahalli and Somanahalli in Bengaluru South taluk (Urban district), and one near the Magadi-Nelamangala stretch in Ramanagara district.

To support the feasibility study, the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC), which is overseeing the project, has allocated ₹1.21 crore to AAI. The study encompasses a range of technical and environmental assessments.

In preparation for the site visits, the state government has supplied comprehensive documentation, including land revenue maps, a decade of weather data, topographical surveys, terrain images, Survey of India maps, and evaluations for both visual and instrument flight operations.