Will the Hosur airport become a reality?

Sub: Geography

Sec: Economic geo

Context:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin plans to set up an international airport on 2,000 acres in Hosur.

Significance of Hosur:

Capacity: The airport will handle three crore passengers annually.
Location: Hosur is in Krishnagiri district, on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Hosur is 40 km from Bengaluru.
Population Growth: Ranked 13th globally for fastest population growth in 2021.
Industrial Hub: Home to companies like Tata Electronics, TVS, Ashok Leyland, Titan, and Rolls-Royce (IAMPL).
Sectors: Strong in auto and electric vehicle manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, logistics, electronics, floriculture, and horticulture.
MSMEs: Approximately 3,000 MSMEs in engineering fabrication, tooling, and polishing.
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT), the State government’s nodal agency to promote industrial infrastructure, has established industrial parks in Hosur in two phases spread over 2,093 acres.
Water Supply: SIPCOT is setting up a 20 MLD Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis plant, expected by September.

Guidelines and Procedures:

DGCA Guidelines: No greenfield airport within 150 km of an existing civilian airport without an impact assessment and government approval.
In 2017, approval was granted for an airport in Jewar, 72 kms from IGI Airport, Delhi, to decongest Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.
Union Cabinet Approval: Required for DGCA to grant a licence.

Impact and Benefits:

Airport project to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth in Hosur and neighbouring districts (Dharmapuri and Salem).
Foster growth between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, creating a twin-city ecosystem with Bengaluru.

Previous Plan:

Hosur airport is owned by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited.
In 2023, a bid for the Chennai-Hosur-Chennai route was not awarded under the UDAN scheme due to the BIAL agreement.
Hosur Airport was removed from future UDAN bidding documents.

Challenges

Negotiations: DMK government needs to negotiate with the Centre for norm relaxation, regulatory, and environmental clearances.
Infrastructure: Supporting infrastructure for the airport needs to be developed.
Hurdles: Concession agreement with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) restricts new airports within 150 km until 2033.

Source: TH