How Bengaluru's IT professionals could benefit from proposed Hosur airport

The planned international airport in Hosur promises significant benefits for Bengaluru’s IT corridor, Electronics City, and nearby areas close to the Tamil Nadu border. The commute from Electronics City to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), located over 60 kilometers away, is challenging at times due to increasing traffic congestion and the lack of a robust mass transit system. Industrialists in Hosur have long advocated for an airport to boost the region's growth.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently announced in the Assembly that Tamil Nadu would establish an international airport on 2,000 acres of land in Hosur, capable of handling 30 million passengers annually to meet the growing industrial needs of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. He emphasized that the airport would contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region, not just Hosur.

Hosur has been attracting more investments in the electronics and electric vehicle manufacturing sectors over recent years.

Also read: Bengaluru set to get second airport. Here’s where it might be located

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai TV believes that establishing an airport in Hosur would benefit both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. However, he stresses the need for the Karnataka government to focus on developing Bommanahalli and surrounding industrial areas and to enhance mass transit between Bommanahalli and KIA. He underscored the importance of creating high-quality jobs beyond engineering roles.

Muralidhar D, former president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Hosur Traders’ Association, supports the proposed airport at Hosur, noting its potential benefits for Hosur traders, particularly in the automobile and electrical industries. He points out that reduced travel time would increase productivity and overall satisfaction.

Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president of FKCCI, views proposed airport at Hosur as positive for the state, offering more job opportunities along the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka border. He highlights the advantage for traders who would save travel time by flying from Hosur instead of Devanahalli.

Tamil Nadu BJP state chief K Annamalai has however questioned the feasibility of the new airport project. He pointed out that the Centre had previously stated that no new international airport could be developed within 150 kilometers of Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.

"It is not just the agreement with Bengaluru International Airport Limited; the guidelines released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for setting up new Greenfield Airport state that new airports are not allowed with an aerial distance of 150 KM of an existing civilian airport," Annamalai said.