Second Airport in South Bengaluru Confirmed, Cabinet to Approve AI City in Bidadi Soon

Bengaluru's Second Airport and AI City Plan Move Forward

India's tech capital, Bengaluru, is on the cusp of significant growth with the announcement of a second airport and the proposed AI City project. At the Network18 Future of Work Summit, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that the second airport will be built in south Bengaluru, with two locations on Kanakapura Road, Chudahalli and Somanahalli, emerging as frontrunners.

The proposed airport will be built on a site of around 9,000 acres, with the state cabinet expected to take up the proposal on April 30. The AI City plan, which aims to develop a city within close proximity to Bengaluru, ideally within 30 minutes of travel, is expected to provide world-class facilities for AI and related industries.

Table: Comparison of Bengaluru's Growth and Challenges

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Shivakumar emphasized that the AI City will have residential and commercial zones, supported by robust infrastructure, including roads, power, water supply, and green cover. He said that the government expects to firm up plans within the next 15 days.

Regarding concerns around urban expansion, Shivakumar acknowledged the strain on existing infrastructure, citing the sharp rise in Bengaluru's population from 17 lakh to over 1.3 crore. He said that the proposed AI City is being planned in the southern region (Bidadi), closer to the Cauvery basin, to ensure sustainable water availability.

Bengaluru continues to attract people from across the country, cutting across sections of society, with Karnataka remaining one of India's strongest economic contributors. Shivakumar said that criticism is often a sign of a city's prominence and that Bengaluru's continued appeal is due to its unique strengths, including its weather, talent pool, and culture.

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The state's finances are also stable, with a budget of around Rs 4.5 lakh crore, despite welfare spending. Shivakumar said that Karnataka is capable of handling these commitments and that the state's IT exporters and industries contribute significantly to the national economy.