As the debate heats up over the location of Bengaluru’s second international airport, new reports suggest that the planned Skydeck project, originally slated for Hemmigepura near Kengeri, may be moved to Kanakapura Road. This potential shift in location is raising further questions about where exactly the new airport will be situated, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about land availability and regulatory hurdles in the Bidadi-Ramanagara region.
Bengaluru’s rapidly growing air traffic has been a driving force behind the push for a second international airport. Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) saw 37.5 million passengers pass through its terminals in 2023-24. While Terminal 2 was recently opened to accommodate rising passenger numbers, the state government has recognised the need for a second airport to meet the city’s expanding demand for air travel.
To address the problem of congestion at the existing airport, the Karnataka government had initially earmarked the Hemmigepura area, located near Kengeri, as a potential site for the new airport. The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) had also selected this location for the construction of a 250-metre-tall Skydeck—a structure designed to improve airport operations and passenger experience.
However, as discussions around the airport’s location have intensified, sources suggest that the state government is now reconsidering this decision. The BDA is actively exploring the possibility of relocating the Skydeck to a different location, namely Kanakapura Road, which lies to the south of the city. This change is being driven by regulatory issues surrounding the Bidadi-Ramanagara area, where the second airport might eventually be built.
If the new airport were to be located in the Bidadi area, which is a strong contender for the second airport site, a key challenge would arise in the form of height restrictions. Authorities would likely implement a 25-kilometre no-high-rise zone around the airport, preventing the construction of tall buildings within that radius. This regulation could complicate the construction of the Skydeck, which is planned as a significant part of the airport’s infrastructure.
In light of these potential restrictions, authorities are now considering relocating the Skydeck to an alternative site, with Kanakapura Road emerging as a strong candidate. The Roerich Estate in Tataguni, located on Kanakapura Road, is currently under consideration as a more suitable location for the Skydeck. The change in location would allow the authorities to avoid the height restrictions and the complexities they might introduce.
Before Hemmigepura was selected, various other locations were explored for the Skydeck project, including NGEF near Yeshwantpur, Whitefield, GKVK (Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra), the Racecourse, and Bengaluru Palace grounds. However, security concerns related to the proximity of Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airports led to the rejection of these sites.
Hemmigepura had emerged as the final choice after an extensive review, but the new developments in the Bidadi-Ramanagara region and the associated regulations regarding the no-high-rise zone have forced planners to reconsider this decision.
As the situation evolves, the government is keeping a close eye on these changing factors while ensuring that the final choice of location is optimal for the city’s air travel future.
Despite these challenges, the need for a second international airport in Bengaluru is clear. Passenger traffic at Kempegowda International Airport has been rising steadily, and the addition of Terminal 2, while helpful, is not enough to meet the city’s long-term aviation needs. The state government is committed to moving forward with plans for the second airport, but the uncertainty surrounding the exact location and infrastructure is likely to persist for some time.
As Bengaluru’s air travel demand continues to grow, the relocation of the Skydeck and the final selection of the airport’s site will be crucial in ensuring that the city remains equipped with the infrastructure required to handle future passenger traffic. The ongoing deliberations, however, highlight the complex nature of planning such a massive project, with a multitude of factors—ranging from regulatory constraints to land availability—shaping the decisions made by authorities.
Ultimately, the choice of location will play a key role in determining how quickly the new airport can be built and how effectively it will meet the growing needs of Bengaluru’s residents and visitors.