Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Karnataka Shortlists Three Sites for Bengaluru’s Second Airport
Karnataka wants to build a second airport to support Bengaluru’s future growth.
The government is studying three main locations for it.
These are Somanahalli, Chudahalli and Gudemaranahalli.
Harohalli is also being examined.
Tumakuru is not currently on the shortlist.
Some leaders had asked for the airport to be built in Tumakuru because the district is growing.
However, government officials said national rules may make building an airport close to Bengaluru’s existing airport difficult.
The final choice will depend on technical, environmental and connectivity studies.
Tumakuru is not among the locations currently being considered for Bengaluru’s proposed second airport.
The shortlisted sites are Somanahalli, Chudahalli and Gudemaranahalli near Nelamangala.
Harohalli is undergoing final-stage examination, and no location has been selected yet.
Industries Minister M B Patil said the Centre’s Greenfield Airports Policy generally restricts airports within 150 kilometres of an existing civil airport.
The Karnataka government has no proposal to allocate funds for a Tumakuru airport in the upcoming budget.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, represented in the Assembly by Industries Minister M B Patil, is evaluating sites for the airport.
- What
- The government has shortlisted three sites for Bengaluru’s proposed second airport and ruled out Tumakuru for now.
- When
- The clarification was given during a Legislative Assembly response; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The sites are Somanahalli and Chudahalli on Kanakapura Road in Ramanagara district, and Gudemaranahalli near Nelamangala; Harohalli is also being examined.
- Why
- The airport is being considered as a long-term need because of Bengaluru’s expanding population, aviation traffic and industrial activity, as well as limitations at Kempegowda International Airport.
Tumakuru proponents
State government position
Preferred airport location
Tumakuru proponents
Home Minister G. Parameshwara and other political leaders have advocated locating the second airport in Tumakuru, citing its growing industrial and economic importance.
State government position
The government’s current shortlist contains sites in Ramanagara district and near Nelamangala, not Tumakuru.
Airport feasibility
Tumakuru proponents
Supporters of Tumakuru argue that the district’s development makes it a suitable location for a second airport.
State government position
The government has pointed to the Greenfield Airports Policy and said a proposal within 150 kilometres of an existing civil airport would require a separate impact assessment.
Budget allocation
Tumakuru proponents
The clarification leaves Tumakuru proponents without a current state-funded airport proposal.
State government position
M B Patil said funding does not arise because no Tumakuru airport project is presently under consideration.
- Shortlisted sites
- Somanahalli, Chudahalli and Gudemaranahalli
- Additional site under examination
- Harohalli
- Ruled-out location
- Tumakuru is not currently under consideration
- Relevant policy
- The Greenfield Airports Policy generally restricts a new airport within 150 kilometres of an existing civil airport
- Final authority
- The Centre will make the final decision after assessing the proposal and its impact
- Tumakuru funding
- No funds are proposed for a Tumakuru airport in the upcoming budget
- Assessment criteria
- Technical, environmental, land availability, connectivity and aviation-impact studies are expected