Hosur Airport: Tamil Nadu Govt Awaits Crucial Defence Ministry Clearance

Hosur Airport News

At the same time, a consultant has been appointed by the State to carry out the crucial Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey – a prerequisite for ensuring the safety of future flight operations, according to a report in The Hindu.

The survey report is expected to be completed by the end of July, sources told the English daily. The greenfield airport proposal is part of a broader strategy to support Hosur’s rapid growth as a manufacturing and automotive hub. With plans to develop the area into a “Knowledge Corridor” and future IT destination, officials believe an airport is crucial to meet the city’s evolving needs.

“The airspace in the region falls under the Ministry of Defence and, hence, we have requested them to create a separate air control zone for establishing the airport. We have sought permission for both sites. We will hold discussions with them. When the final site is chosen by the State government, it will be communicated to them,” a source told the daily. Another source added that approval may be granted within three to four months.

Situated in Krishnagiri district, near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, the proposed airport at Hosur is expected to cater to a large population across both states. Especially, the airport is expected to benefit big time for people of Bengaluru South who has to travel 40 kms or close to 1.20 minutes to reach the Kempe Gowda International Airport.

Following the announcement of plans to construct the airport in 2024, the State government tasked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with assessing five potential locations. Out of these, two places have now been shortlisted – one situated to the south of Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Hosur taluk, and another to the east of Hosur, north of Shoolagiri.

The AAI’s feasibility report weighed the strengths and limitations of both sites. After this analysis, the State proceeded to engage a consultant and submitted a formal request to the Defence Ministry around the same period to move ahead with the project.

Hosur Airport – OLS Survey In Progress

Currently, the OLS survey is in progress for both shortlisted locations. “Obstacles are present at both sites. The site close to TAAL seems to have lesser undulations and a slightly better terrain. But, we will know more only when the OLS is completed, and the site will be chosen accordingly,” the source noted.

Typically, an OLS survey evaluates obstacles within a 20-kilometre radius around the intended runway centreline, using advanced equipment to identify terrain and height obstructions. However, both proposed locations are close to restricted airspace zones, given the presence of defence-related installations in Bengaluru, including facilities run by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Despite the progress, a major challenge looms – an agreement between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Bangalore International Airport Limited currently bars the creation of another airport within a 150-kilometre aerial distance until 2033.