Mr. Eeranna Kadadi, Rajya Sabha member, said that there are plans to build a new terminal at Sambre Airport in the Belgaum district by 2026. The estimated cost for this project is ₹357 crores, covering an extensive area of 16,400 square meters. Numerous other airport terminal expansion initiatives are in progress.
During an advisory committee meeting at Sambra Airport on Saturday, it was stated that the upcoming terminal will feature four aerobridges, eight escalators, a lift, and the capability to accommodate 2,400 passengers for departures and arrivals concurrently. The terminal will also offer parking space for nine planes and accommodate 500 cars, 200 bikes and various other vehicles in front of the terminal.
Initiatives are underway to elevate the standards of this airport to international levels. Presently, there are non-stop flights connecting Belgaum to several significant cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai. It was mentioned that additional flight services will be introduced in the future, bringing substantial advantages to the residents of North Karnataka.
MP Mangala Angadi, Airport Director S. Thiagarajan, along with members of the Advisory Committee including Bharata Deshpande, Sanjay Bhandari, IG Deyannavara, Gurudev Patila, Priyanka Azrekara, Anoop Kate, and additional attendees were in attendance.
The volume of passengers utilizing Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport is on a consistent rise, leading to calls for the necessity of an additional airport in Bangalore. However, indications suggest that the government’s recent decision is poised to meet the growing demand of passengers in the near future.
The state government is contemplating the establishment of a second airport in the vicinity of Bangalore to accommodate the city’s anticipated growth and enhance aviation infrastructure. Among the potential sites under consideration for this expansion is the Tumkur-Chitradurga route, aimed at supplementing the existing Kempegowda International Airport.
The Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patila mentioned that the state government is in the initial phase of identifying appropriate sites for the new airport. He emphasized the example set by cities such as Mumbai and Goa, where multiple airports have been effectively put into operation in close proximity.
The general guidelines of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) typically prohibit the establishment of new greenfield airports within a 150 km radius of an existing airport. However, if approval is granted for a second airport in the same city or nearby, explicit guidelines will be formulated to regulate air traffic between the two airports.
Minister Patil stressed the importance of evaluating the aviation feasibility surrounding Bengaluru’s second airport. He highlighted that the selected location must offer sufficient land for a fully functional airport and allow for future expansion.
Authorities from the Infrastructure Development Department conveyed the decision to Bangalore International Airport Limited while deliberating on the 60-year lease extension. It is reported that BIAL, overseeing Kempegowda International Airport, has agreed to the proposition.
Initially, there was contemplation of reopening the former HAL airport. However, due to concerns about constrained space for expansion, alternative options are now being explored. Evaluations are underway for potential sites along the Tumkur-Chitradurga route. Nevertheless, some locations are deemed impractical due to existing airports, potential expansions, or traffic considerations.
