Upgrade KIA or face eco-challenges building new one?

For the last 12 years, Bengaluru has had only one commercial airport. It is now the country’s third busiest. But going forward, will the city of 1.3 crore people benefit from another airport? Will it decongest the city? DH takes a deep dive to understand what the public feel, interacting with a cross-section of Bengalureans.

Kiran Jeevan, a professor at the St Joseph’s College has this to say: “A second airport sounds like a great idea. It will surely help economic growth, provide job opportunities and help air connectivity. This airport will also help many people from neighbouring districts to get easy access.”

However, he cautions about the challenges too. “There are critical issues to be addressed such as land acquisition and environmental factors. These need to be addressed in a sensitive manner without affecting the livelihoods of people and the biodiversity,” he adds.