Infrastructure Minister advocates for new Bengaluru airport amidst growth

24 Jun 2024 CW Team

In view of Bengaluru's rapid evolution into a global metropolitan city, MB Patil, the Minister for Infrastructure Development, convened a meeting on Thursday to discuss the potential construction of a second airport for the city. It was pointed out by Minister Patil that Bengaluru International Airport ranks as the third busiest in the nation, after Delhi and Mumbai.

According to him, last year, the airport served 37.5 million passengers and handled over 400,000 tonnes of cargo. He stressed that the need for a second airport arises from the expected growth in both passenger traffic and freight in the upcoming years.

The contract for the Devanahalli airport currently prohibits the establishment of new airports within a 150-kilometre radius until 2033. With nine years remaining, the Minister emphasized the urgency of commencing preparations immediately. Patil elaborated that the current airport is anticipated to reach its maximum capacity for handling passengers by 2033 and for handling cargo by 2040. Given the considerable time required for land acquisition and compensation processes, Patil highlighted the imperative to initiate the project without delay.

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