The Karnataka government plans to build a new international airport in the city to de-congest passenger and cargo traffic at KIA. A site between Nelamangala and Kunigal, near National Highway (NH) 75, has emerged as the most viable option for the new aviation hub.
The site is approximately 30 km from the city centre and offers excellent connectivity with railway networks and national highways. It also has access to the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor, known as NICE Road.
Besides, upcoming infrastructure developments such as the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) are expected to improve commuting from the new airport site to south Bangalore.
With the Airports Authority of India (AAI) set to receive a formal proposal from the State government to build the new airport, the infrastructure project is moving closer to realisation.
Notably, the Nelamangala site meets over a dozen critical criteria for airport development, ensuring it aligns with the standards required for a modern aviation facility. Moreover, the restrictions on building a new airport within 150 km of KIA expire in 2035, supporting the upcoming project.
KIA’s highest-ever yearly passenger traffic (37.53 million) and cargo volume (439,524 metric tonnes) in FY 2024 underscores the need for a new international airport in Bangalore.
The upcoming international airport in Bangalore is anticipated to ease the increasing pressure on KIA and cater to the growing demand for air travel to and from the city.
