The Karnataka government is actively considering establishing a second airport in south Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Tuesday at the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025. The statement came during a session where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled the Karnataka Space Technology, IT and Startup Policy 2025–30, marking a major policy push for the state’s tech and innovation ecosystem.

State finalised three locations for second airport

In March 2025, the state government shortlisted three possible locations for the new international airport. Two of these are located on Kanakapura Road, near Kaggalipura and Harohalli, while the third proposed site lies along Kunigal Road in the north.
The government is assessing connectivity, land feasibility and long-term growth potential before finalising the final site.

Karnataka highlights legacy of policy innovation

Inaugurating the three-day summit, CM Siddaramaiah said Karnataka has consistently led India in tech policy innovation.
He recalled that the state launched India’s first IT policy in 1997, and said the newly announced policy framework aims to position Karnataka as a global hub for innovation and deep tech over the next five years.

Under the Space Technology Policy 2025–2030, the government aims to secure 50% of India’s space-tech market and 5% of the global market by 2034. A dedicated space technology cell will be set up under the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) to support this goal.

Govt outlines major infrastructure push

Addressing the delegates, Shivakumar said the government is spending over ₹1 lakh crore on improving Bengaluru’s infrastructure.
He listed multiple high-value projects:

  • 40-km twin tunnel project worth ₹42,500 crore
  • 41-km double-decker metro line costing ₹18,000 crore
  • 74-km Bengaluru Business Corridor estimated at ₹27,000 crore

He also announced plans to:

  • Create a separate secretariat for NRIs
  • Develop a residential layout for NRIs
  • Build an international complex for global business houses
  • Establish a world-class AI city spread over 9,000 acres near Bidadi

Startup and IT policy goals for the next five years

While detailed announcements of the Startup Policy will be made at the Future Makers Conclave on November 20, the Chief Minister said the new policy targets the creation of 25,000 new startups in five years. The plan includes strategic interventions in funding, market access, infrastructure, talent development and social inclusion.

Under the IT Policy 2025–2030, Karnataka aims to generate over 90 lakh direct and indirect jobs before 2030.

The CM highlighted:

  • Karnataka hosts over 16,000 startups
  • The state accounts for 47% of India’s total startup funding
  • Karnataka contributes 42% of India’s IT exports, valued at ₹3.2 lakh crore, growing at 27% year-on-year
  • The state is home to over 550 Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

Global participation at BTS 2025

Shivakumar added that 60 nations are participating in the tech summit, which features over 1,200 exhibitors and 15,000 delegates, reinforcing Karnataka’s place as a global innovation hub.