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Tamil Nadu slows land push for Hosur airport but keeps project alive

February 08, 2026 4 min read Geography Polity & Governance GS2 (Governance) GS3 (Infrastructure)
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What Happened

  • The Tamil Nadu government has slowed the land acquisition process for the proposed Hosur greenfield airport in Krishnagiri district, though the project remains officially active.
  • The state had identified approximately 2,900-3,000 acres across 12 villages in Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks for the airport, with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) leading the project.
  • A key regulatory hurdle is the 150-km exclusivity clause in the concessionaire agreement between Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Union government, which restricts new airport development within 150 km of Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport until 2033.
  • TIDCO submitted a site clearance proposal to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in November 2025, but the proposal faced an initial rejection in June over airspace constraints, prompting Tamil Nadu to prepare a fresh justification.
  • The proposed airport is designed to eventually handle about 3 crore passengers annually, serving Hosur's rapidly growing industrial corridor near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.

Static Topic Bridges

Greenfield Airport Policy, 2008

India's Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, lays down the framework for the establishment of new airports in the country. It was formulated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to promote the development of airport infrastructure in underserved regions while maintaining a balance with existing airports.

  • The policy requires developers to identify a site, conduct a pre-feasibility study, and obtain site clearance from the Central Government before proceeding with airport construction.
  • Site clearance is the first of multiple approvals required; subsequent stages include in-principle approval, environmental and defence clearances, and final approval.
  • The Government of India has granted in-principle approval to 24 greenfield airports across the country, of which 13 have been operationalised.
  • The policy mandates that new airports should not adversely affect the viability of existing airports in the region, leading to the inclusion of exclusivity clauses in concessionaire agreements.
  • Under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme launched in October 2016, the government promotes regional air connectivity with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and subsidised fares; UDAN 5.5 is the latest phase (2024).

Connection to this news: The Hosur airport proposal faces the site clearance stage itself, and the 150-km exclusivity clause in BIAL's concessionaire agreement is a direct consequence of the policy's mandate to protect existing airport viability, potentially delaying the project until 2033.

Land Acquisition Framework: RFCTLARR Act, 2013

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act) governs land acquisition for public purposes in India. It replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act, 1894, introducing stronger safeguards for affected families.

  • A mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) must be conducted before any acquisition to evaluate socioeconomic and environmental consequences on affected communities; the SIA is reviewed by an independent multi-disciplinary Expert Group.
  • For public-private partnership projects, consent of 70% of affected families is required; for private projects, 80% consent is needed. Government projects for public purpose do not require landowner consent.
  • Compensation is pegged at a minimum of 2 times the market value in urban areas and 4 times in rural areas, plus a solatium of 100% of the market value.
  • A Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package must be provided to all affected families, including alternative land, housing, employment, or annuity.
  • The Act mandates that acquired land must be used within 5 years of possession, failing which it reverts to the original landowners or a state land bank.

Connection to this news: The acquisition of 2,900-3,000 acres across 12 villages for the Hosur airport requires compliance with the RFCTLARR Act's SIA and consent provisions, and the political sensitivity of displacing rural communities near elections may explain the slowdown in land acquisition efforts.

Hosur as an Industrial and Strategic Corridor

Hosur, located at the southern tip of Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border in Krishnagiri district, has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing industrial towns due to its proximity to Bengaluru (approximately 40 km) and its well-developed manufacturing ecosystem.

  • Hosur hosts major manufacturing facilities including Titan Company, TVS Motor, Ashok Leyland, and multiple electronics and IT companies.
  • The town is connected to Bengaluru via NH-44 (the longest national highway in India, connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari) and is approximately 40 km from Bengaluru's city centre.
  • Hosur falls within the Bengaluru-Chennai Industrial Corridor (BCIC), one of the industrial corridors planned under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
  • The town's population and industrial activity have grown rapidly, driven by Bengaluru's overflow effect, with manufacturing, logistics, and residential sectors expanding.
  • A dedicated airport at Hosur would reduce cargo transit times for the industrial belt and decongest Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, which handled over 37 million passengers in FY 2023-24.

Connection to this news: The strategic importance of Hosur as an industrial hub and Bengaluru satellite town underpins Tamil Nadu's persistence with the airport project despite regulatory hurdles, as the airport would serve both passenger and cargo needs of a rapidly urbanising corridor.

Key Facts & Data

  • Proposed land acquisition: 2,900-3,000 acres across 12 villages in Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.
  • Project lead: Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO).
  • Proposed capacity: 3 crore passengers per annum.
  • Key regulatory hurdle: 150-km exclusivity clause in BIAL concessionaire agreement (expires 2033).
  • Distance from Bengaluru: approximately 40 km (Hosur town centre to Bengaluru city centre).
  • Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008: 24 airports approved in-principle; 13 operationalised.
  • RFCTLARR Act, 2013: mandates SIA, consent of 70% families for PPP projects, compensation at 2-4 times market value.
  • Hosur is located on NH-44 and falls within the Bengaluru-Chennai Industrial Corridor.