Central government backs Tamil Nadu’s Hosur airport plan

In a significant boost to Tamil Nadu’s proposal for a new airport in Hosur, the central government has assured intervention in the existing concession agreement with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).

BIAL Agreement Poses a Challenge

The proposed Hosur Greenfield Airport faces a hurdle due to a clause in BIAL’s contract, which prohibits the construction of a new airport within a 150-kilometer aerial radius until 2033. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu acknowledged the necessity of an airport in Hosur, given Bengaluru’s rising air traffic, but admitted that the issue remains complex. He emphasized the need for discussions between the union government, BIAL, and the Tamil Nadu government to resolve the matter.

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Industrial Push for Hosur Airport

Industries and residents in Hosur have been advocating for the airport, citing high logistical costs and travel time to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, nearly 80 kilometers away. Industry groups, including the Hosur Industries Association (HIA) and Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association (HOSTIA), have urged the state government to expedite the project. Two potential sites, including land near Taneja Aerospace and Aviation (TAAL), are under consideration.

Path Ahead

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the project in October, with plans for a 2,000-acre airport capable of handling 30 million passengers annually. Citing a precedent where a similar agreement was relaxed for Hyderabad’s second airport, AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai expressed optimism for a resolution. With government backing and industrial support, Hosur’s long-pending airport project is gaining momentum.