Bengaluru’s Second Airport Project Gains Momentum as Kanakapura Becomes Top Choice
Bengaluru’s Second Airport
Bengaluru’s long-awaited second international airport is now moving closer to becoming a reality. The Karnataka government is actively studying possible locations for the new airport and is considering combining two shortlisted sites in the Kanakapura region to create one large land parcel for the project.
According to reports, the government may merge the Choodahalli and Somanahalli sites, located in southern Bengaluru near Kanakapura Road. Officials are also examining nearby areas between Kunigal and Nelamangala along Tumakuru Road. The aim is to identify a location that offers better connectivity, enough land for future expansion, and fewer airspace restrictions for smooth airport operations.
To help finalize the most suitable location, the Karnataka government has appointed the Singapore-based Meinhardt-KPMG consortium to conduct a detailed technical and economic feasibility study. The consultancy study is valued at around Rs 4.96 crore and is expected to take nearly five months to complete.
The study will carefully evaluate three proposed locations — Choodahalli, Somanahalli, and a third site near Nelamangala. The experts will examine several important factors before recommending the best site for the airport.
The study will mainly focus on four major areas. First, it will review the Airports Authority of India’s earlier feasibility assessment of the sites. Second, it will evaluate the technical suitability of each location. Third, it will create a strategic framework for site selection. Finally, it will identify the most suitable site for Bengaluru’s future aviation needs.
In addition to technical analysis, the consultancy team will also conduct traffic demand studies and future passenger growth forecasts. These studies are important because Bengaluru’s air travel demand has been rising rapidly in recent years.
Environmental concerns are also receiving major attention during the planning process. Since Choodahalli and Somanahalli are located close to Bannerghatta National Park, authorities are carefully studying how aircraft noise and aviation activity may affect wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem.
Officials will also conduct Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) surveys to identify any possible obstacles near the proposed airport sites. These include hills, tall buildings, and residential developments that could interfere with aircraft take-off and landing operations.
The two Kanakapura Road sites are considered attractive because they together cover nearly 10,000 acres of land. Reports suggest that Choodahalli spans around 4,800 acres while Somanahalli covers nearly 5,000 acres. Officials believe that combining the two areas would provide enough flexibility to carve out the required 4,500 to 5,000 acres needed for a modern international airport.
A Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) official reportedly said that southern Bengaluru may generate stronger airport demand due to better connectivity and growing urban development in the region. The official also noted that while some people believe an airport near Nelamangala could benefit North Karnataka, such benefits may be limited in practical terms.
The need for a second airport in Bengaluru has become increasingly important because of the city’s rapidly growing aviation traffic. Although Kempegowda International Airport has expanded significantly over the years, experts believe passenger and cargo traffic could soon push the airport toward capacity limits.
Meanwhile, HAL Airport now handles only limited operations and cannot support large-scale commercial expansion. This has increased concerns about Bengaluru relying on just one major airport despite being one of India’s largest technology and business hubs.
If approved, the second airport is expected to improve connectivity, support economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Bengaluru’s position as a major global business and aviation center.
