Bengaluru: As the race to house Bengaluru’s second international airport intensifies, Sira in Tumakuru district has emerged as a contender, with MLAs from central and north Karnataka collectively throwing their weight behind the location.Though Sira had been floated earlier as a potential site for an airport, the pitch has now gathered fresh momentum, with several legislators joining forces to press the Centre for its consideration.The MLAs have roped in Union minister V Somanna to champion their cause and personally take up the demand with civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.Based on a representation submitted by the MLAs from various constituencies in the two regions of Karnataka, Somanna, who also represents the Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency, has forwarded their proposal and personally written to the civil aviation minister, seeking action on establishing an airport at Sira, about 150km from the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.Pointing out that KIA is becoming increasingly crowded and that the state govt is exploring an alternative airport near Bengaluru, Somanna highlighted concerns raised by the legislators that locating the second airport close to the existing facility could deprive central and north Karnataka of a major opportunity for economic development.In their proposal, the MLAs argued that Sira’s strategic location, connectivity, and availability of land and water make it suitable for an international airport that could serve the passenger and cargo requirements of the two regions. The MLAs pointed to Sira’s proximity to major industrial corridors and proposed manufacturing zones.The legislators cited the Mumbai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone in Tumakuru and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, besides industrial land being developed by KIADB.Besides, according to the MLAs, the region is connected by several national and state highways, while new road and railway projects are expected to improve connectivity between Bengaluru and north Karnataka through Sira. Their representation also cited the presence of strategic establishments in the broader region, including Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facilities and the Indian Institute of Science campus in Chitradurga, as well as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumakuru district. The MLAs claimed that adequate govt land is available for the project and that water could be sourced through projects such as Upper Bhadra, Hemavathi and Yettinahole.Describing the airport as a potentially “life-changing opportunity” for the region, the legislators argued that the project could spur industrial growth and address longstanding regional development disparities.Supporting the MLAs claim, DyCM G Parameshwara who is also the Tumakuru district-in charge minister expressed his preference for an international airport to be located near Tumakuru.“A technical team has already recommended two potential sites on Kunigal Road near Nelamangala and Bidadi area. The final decision will be taken after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) completes its technical evaluation. If it comes up in Tumakuru, I will be very happy,” he said.
