DK Shivakumar Advocates for Site Near Kanakapura for Bengaluru’s Second International Airport.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is advocating for the location of Bengaluru’s second international airport near Kanakapura, the constituency he represents. The area between Bidadi and Harohalli, due to its proximity to key industrial hubs such as Electronic City, has been proposed as a potential site for the new airport.

Official sources have confirmed Shivakumar's push, but emphasized that any concrete steps will require approval from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The government plans to follow the public-private partnership (PPP) model, similar to the one used for Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), with private investors likely to show interest if around 4,000 acres of land can be acquired for the project.

However, the challenge remains in acquiring such a large tract of land with minimal displacement of people. The government is expected to expedite the decision-making process, as land acquisition and compensation can be time-consuming.

Shivakumar has urged residents of Kanakapura to hold on to their farmlands, predicting that their value will soar in the future. On his initiative, the Cabinet has already approved renaming Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South district. Shivakumar, who has won elections from Kanakapura taluk eight times, told his constituents in October 2023 that their land would one day be valued far more than it is today.

Industries & Infrastructure Minister MB Patil noted that the second airport will require about 4,500 to 5,000 acres of land. The current KIA, operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), is the third busiest airport in India and has recently handled record passenger and cargo traffic. However, with KIA expected to reach full capacity by 2035, the government is preparing for a second airport to support the city’s continued growth.

The KIA contract, signed in 1999, prohibits the construction of a second airport within a 150-kilometer radius until 2033, but this restriction will soon be lifted, allowing the state to plan for a new international gateway.

ET