Hosur Airport: Site Clearance Expected In 6-8 Months As Karnataka Plans Second Airport In Bengaluru

The Tamil Nadu government is seeking site clearance for a new international airport in Hosur, but faces significant hurdles. The project requires clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Defence Ministry due to airspace concerns related to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A previous request was met with an unfavorable response, and securing initial site clearance could take six to eight months.

Adding to the complexity, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has an agreement with MoCA that prohibits competing airports within 150 kilometers of Bengaluru airport, effectively blocking passenger operations at Hosur for another eight years. Despite these challenges, the Tamil Nadu government views the airport as a catalyst for economic growth, aiming to relieve congestion at Bengaluru airport and attract investment to Hosur, a growing electronics and manufacturing hub.

In response to Tamil Nadu's plans, the Karnataka government is planning a second airport in Bengaluru. The search for suitable land is underway. The proposed Hosur airport includes a land acquisition of 2,300 acres, with initial designs featuring one terminal and two runways, capable of handling 30 million passengers.

The airport is envisioned for the Shoolagiri taluk, between Berigai and Bagalur. The project aims to provide advanced passenger and cargo infrastructure to accelerate development and draw more capital into Tamil Nadu.