As the competition between Nelamangala and Kanakapura intensifies for the second airport, Kanakapura benefits from existing infrastructure but faces challenges in land acquisition, as large portions are agricultural land.
Nelamangala, on the other hand, has more dry land available but requires sustainable planning to preserve its ecological integrity, despite offering affordable and long-term development potential, according to industry players. Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to conduct a feasibility study from April 7 to 9.
Ideal location?
Three locations are under consideration — Chudahalli, Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road and one on the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road, according to M.B. Patil, Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries.
However, the exclusivity clause in Bengaluru International Airport Limited’s (BIAL) concession agreement with the Union government, which grants it sole rights to operate civilian airports in Bengaluru until 2033, could impact the project’s feasibility.
Somanahalli is approximately over 70 km from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), while Chudahalli is over 70 km away but just 50 km from Hosur in Tamil Nadu, which is set to get its second airport.
Nelamangala, on the other hand, is roughly 60 km from Kempegowda Airport and 81 km from Hosur. While Kanakapura’s sites aim to cater to South Bengaluru, Nelamangala is located in the northwest
Pros and cons
Elaborating on Kanakpura’s strength, Swapnil Anil, Managing Director, Advisory Services, Colliers India, noted that Kanakapura Road (NH 948) is well-connected via the NICE Road and the Mysuru Expressway. Additionally, Phase-2B of Bengaluru Metro is set to extend the Yellow Line toward Kanakapura Road, which could further boost residential and commercial development once operational.
Similarly, Nelamangala located in the northwest of Bengaluru along NH 48, is a well-established industrial and residential node with ongoing infrastructure enhancements, observed Anshuman Magazine, Chairman, CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE.
Anshuman pointed out that Nelamangala is strategically positioned along NH 75, which connects Bengaluru to Mangaluru, and NH 48, linking Bengaluru to Tumakuru.
The Nelamangala Railway Station also offers direct connectivity to Bengaluru, while the Bengaluru Metro’s Green Line is currently being extended from Nagasandra to the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), with further expansion toward Nelamangala under discussion.
Furthermore, considering the availability of reasonably priced plots and less current development in Nelamangala is important stated Ashish Sharma, City Head – Bengaluru, ANAROCK Group.
However, he cautioned that the region’s green cover and undeveloped landscape could be vulnerable to ecological damage, including biodiversity loss and soil erosion. He also noted that Kanakapura may face similar environmental concerns, though details remain unclear.
Echoing this, CBRE’s Anshuman observed that while Nelamangala has mature industrial base and road network, Kanakapura is rapidly catching up with residential and tourism-driven growth.
Ultimately, Kanakapura offers proximity to the city and existing infrastructure, albeit at a higher cost and with potential environmental trade-offs. Nelamangala, while more affordable and facing fewer immediate land disputes, will require careful planning to balance development with ecological preservation, Sharma concluded.