As Bengaluru air traffic surges, State initiates feasibility study for second airport
Bengaluru:
The Karnataka government has invited tenders to appoint an expert consultancy firm to prepare a detailed location suitability and technical-financial feasibility report for a proposed second international airport for Bengaluru, Infrastructure Development Minister M. B. Patil said on Saturday.
The Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) has floated the tender, with January 12, 2026, set as the last date for submission of applications. The selected firm will be required to submit the comprehensive feasibility report within five months of appointment.
According to Patil, the State has identified three potential locations for the proposed airport—Choodahalli and Somanahalli along Kanakapura Road, and another site near Nelamangala. A high-level team from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already inspected these locations and submitted a preliminary assessment to the government.
The consultancy firm will be tasked with examining a range of parameters, including rainfall patterns, topography, availability of power and water, sewerage and waste-management infrastructure, surrounding population density, regional development prospects, and potential noise pollution arising from airport operations.
The feasibility report must also detail the estimated project cost, land requirements, and statutory clearances needed from authorities such as the Ministry of Defence and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In addition, the study will assess the proposed airport’s impact on industry, tourism and overall public mobility in the region.
Connectivity to the shortlisted sites and the additional infrastructure required post-construction will form a key part of the assessment. The consultancy firm will also evaluate cargo handling facilities, passenger services and their economic viability before recommending the most suitable site among the three locations.
Patil noted that Kempegowda International Airport currently ranks second in the country in terms of passenger density, and that the State is projected to require an additional airport by 2033. “Delhi and Mumbai already operate two airports each. With Bengaluru’s growth trajectory, planning for a second airport has to begin well in advance,” he said.
The government will take a call on the next course of action once the feasibility report is submitted, Patil added.