The Tamil Nadu government has finalised the site for its proposed greenfield airport in Hosur, selecting a location in Shoolagiri taluk, approximately 15.5 km east of the existing TAAL (Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd) airstrip. The site, situated between Berigai and Bagalur, was chosen based on a recent Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey which identified only 75 obstructions, compared to nearly 350 at the previously considered site near TAAL.The selected location lies close to the Bengaluru Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) under construction by NHAI, enhancing connectivity between Hosur, Bengaluru, and surrounding industrial corridors. The site is approximately 19 km from Attibele, Karnataka’s entry point near Bengaluru, further strengthening its strategic position.Approvals and Acquisition PlanWith the location locked, Tamil Nadu plans to seek clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation within a fortnight. Simultaneously, the Krishnagiri District Collector will prepare a land acquisition plan within six weeks. The airport will require around 2,300 acres, according to government sources.The State has also written to the Defence Ministry to obtain controlled airspace for the project, while efforts are underway to navigate restrictions in the concession agreement with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL). The agreement bars the development of any new international airport within 150 km of Bengaluru until 2033. Despite this, reports suggest that the Hosur airport may take up to eight years to complete.Strategic ImportanceFirst announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the proposed Hosur airport is envisioned to handle 30 million passengers annually, far surpassing the 22 million passengers handled by Chennai International Airport in 2023.Hosur, known as a manufacturing hub, is home to over 500 large-scale industries and 3,000 MSMEs, including major players in automobiles, electronics, aerospace, and logistics. The airport is expected to significantly boost the region’s economic ecosystem, reduce dependence on Bengaluru airport, and improve air connectivity for southern Tamil Nadu and northern Karnataka.The project underscores Tamil Nadu’s broader infrastructure ambitions and complements ongoing efforts to decentralise aviation infrastructure while positioning Hosur as a vital regional node for cargo and passenger movement.