With the state government actively searching for a second airport location in Bengaluru, the final site appears to be near Nelamangala. According to sources, after extensive evaluation and consideration, the state government has chosen a site near Nelamangala-Kunigal along National Highway 75 for the construction of the proposed second international airport.

Aiming to address Bengaluru's growing development needs, increasing passenger traffic, and cargo pressure, the state initiated the process of building a second international airport, following the examples of Delhi and Mumbai. The government had examined seven to eight locations around the city for this purpose. Based on technical standards set by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the site between Nelamangala and Kunigal has been almost finalised.

Sources indicated that air traffic at the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is on the rise. To accommodate Bengaluru’s future needs, the 11th round of discussions about the development of the second international airport was held last Friday. In a meeting chaired last month by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, various sites, including Harohalli on Kanakapura Road, Bidadi, and Nelamangala, were reviewed.

While Harohalli near Kanakapura Road was considered to serve passengers in the southern part of Bengaluru, it was determined that this area, located near the Tamil Nadu border, lacks potential for significant development. From an overall development perspective, the Nelamangala area is deemed more suitable. If the airport is established here, it will not disrupt connectivity on Mysore Road and Kanakapura Road. The existing NICE Road, along with the proposed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), will enhance connectivity for passengers from the southern part of Bengaluru.

The site near Nelamangala is about 30 kilometres from the city, starting near the first toll on National Highway 75. It is also well-connected to the national highway and the railway line. Moreover, a significant amount of government land is available in this area, making the project more feasible, according to a senior official.

Once a final decision is made, a proposal will be sent to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Officials stated that the current location meets 15 key criteria necessary for establishing the new airport. The restriction on building a new airport within a 150 km radius of the existing international airport expires in 2035.