A tale of two states and three airports

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin declares plans for an international airport at Hosur, which borders Bengaluru even as the Karnataka government has begun a feasibility study for Bengaluru city’s second airport to handle growing traffic

By Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi/Consulting Editor
From Bengaluru

Tamil Nadu is pitching for an international airport at its industrial hub of Hosur, which borders the Karnataka capital of Bengaluru and promises to become an accelerated growth engine for the two states.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin declared the state government plans to set up an international airport with a capacity of handling 30 million passengers per year. Elaborating on the proposal, Stalin told the state assembly on Thursday, June 27, that Hosur was attracting huge investments and was sure to become the happening economic hub of the state. It has the distinct advantage of having Bengaluru as its neighbour and also two fast-developing cities of Krishnagiri and Dharmagiri in Tamil Nadu.

The proposed airport would be located on a sprawling campus of over 2,000 acres, Stalin said. Already, Hosur is witnessing infrastructure development and there is also a new master plan for the city that is nearing completion of implementation. To cater to the growing needs of the business and industrial establishments coming up in this busy hub, it is necessary to build an airport at Hosur, Stalin said.

Big economic boost

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, in a statement, highlighted the significant economic boost an airport would provide, given Hosur’s strategic proximity to Bengaluru and Chennai, as well as its burgeoning manufacturing ecosystem.

“The announcement of the new airport in Hosur is a monumental step forward for the region. This project will greatly enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth, benefiting not only Hosur but also neighbouring districts such as Dharmapuri and Salem, while also providing a significant boost to various parts of Bengaluru,” said Rajaa.

Excellent weather

“With Hosur’s excellent weather, the new airport will foster a twin-city ecosystem with Bengaluru, propelling growth in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,” he said.

“Hosur boasts excellent connectivity to exim gateways and is near other major business hubs and industrial clusters, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Sriperumbudur, and Coimbatore. The region has emerged as a nucleus for auto and EV manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and electronics, and is developing into an IT hub with a planned IT park. Prominent companies such as Tata Electronics, TVS, Ashok Leyland, Titan, and Rolls-Royce (IAMPL) have established significant operations in the area,” noted Rajaa.

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Game changer

“The establishment of an airport in Hosur will be a game-changer for the region, providing a substantial boost to our infrastructure and economic landscape. The airport will undoubtedly enhance the region’s connectivity and attract further investments, solidifying Hosur’s position as a major industrial and economic hub,” said Dr J Jeyaranjan, vice-chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission.

Incidentally, the Tamil Nadu government’s announcement of the airport plan comes close on the heels of a Karnataka government move to scout land for building a second airport for Bengaluru, proposed to be built on Tumakuru Road. Within a range of some 200 sq km, the region will have three bustling airports. Karnataka government too feels the need for a second airport to develop an industrial ecosystem beyond Bengaluru.

Contract terms end in 2033

When the Devanahalli airport (Bengaluru) was established, the contract terms stipulated that no other airport could be constructed within a 150-kilometre radius until 2033. With nine years remaining under this agreement, there is a need to start preparations now. The current airport is projected to reach its peak passenger handling capacity by 2033 and its maximum cargo handling capacity by 2040.

Sources said Tumakuru Road is a likely location for the new airport, particularly since the 2024-25 Karnataka state budget announced a feasibility report for extending the Metro rail from the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) to Tumakuru on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

Main picture of MK Stalin sourced from Wikipedia