Chennai, Nov 8 (NationPress) In a significant step to enhance aviation infrastructure, the Tamil Nadu government is gearing up to request site clearance from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for the proposed greenfield airport in Hosur within the upcoming two weeks.

This project, unveiled by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin last year, is anticipated to serve as a vital gateway for southern Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions of Karnataka.

The envisioned airport is designed as a large-scale facility with the capacity to accommodate up to 30 million passengers each year—outpacing the Chennai airport’s traffic of 22 million passengers in 2023.

The facility will cover approximately 2,000 acres in the Berigai-Bagalur area of Krishnagiri district, strategically positioned to cater to the rapidly growing industrial city of Hosur and its surrounding clusters.

After a comprehensive technical evaluation, the Berigai-Bagalur site was chosen over Bendagondapalli, near the Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) airfield, due to its superior suitability, presenting fewer topographical and operational challenges.

Officials indicated that the Krishnagiri district administration has begun developing a comprehensive land development plan, while the state government is likely to initiate the land acquisition process within the next four months.

Once operational, the airport is expected to alleviate congestion in Chennai’s air traffic while significantly enhancing industrial, logistics, and passenger connectivity throughout the Krishnagiri–Dharmapuri–Salem corridor.

However, this ambitious initiative encounters a major regulatory hurdle. An existing agreement prohibits the establishment of new commercial airports within a 150-km radius of the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) until 2033.

This condition could potentially delay or limit the Centre's approval for Hosur, which is situated near the Karnataka border and falls within the exclusion zone.

Simultaneously, the Tamil Nadu government has approached the Defence Ministry requesting a relaxation of airspace restrictions, as a significant portion of Krishnagiri's airspace is under the operational management of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Despite these obstacles, the government remains optimistic that Hosur’s strategic location and industrial significance will facilitate swift central approval, paving the path for one of Tamil Nadu’s most ambitious aviation infrastructure undertakings.