The proposal for Bengaluru’s second international airport has hit fresh roadblocks despite early momentum. The project requires over 5,000 acres of land, and three potential sites—Kaggalipura on Kanakapura Main Road, Harohalli, and Chikka Soluru along the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road—have been shortlisted. However, skyrocketing land prices in these areas and lack of final site confirmation have left local landowners in uncertainty.
Though the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a site inspection two months ago, their report is still pending. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has held discussions with the Centre but has not received a green signal yet, causing further delays in execution.
Adding to the challenge, land prices in the identified zones have surged, sparking a real estate rush. Farmers fear losing their land, while potential investors and landowners remain stuck in limbo, unsure whether the airport will actually be built in these regions.
In contrast, the Tamil Nadu government has already prepared the groundwork for a new airport in Hosur, just a few kilometers from Bengaluru, creating additional competitive pressure. Experts believe the second airport—regardless of its final location—could drive significant infrastructure development, boost real estate value, and create employment opportunities in the surrounding regions. However, without official approvals and final site confirmation, the ambitious project remains in a holding pattern. Land acquisition, soaring costs, and administrative delays continue to pose serious hurdles to Bengaluru’s much-needed second international airport.
