‘Big disappointment’: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw reacts as govt rejects Hosur airport proposal

The Ministry of Defence's refusal to approve the proposed airport at Hosur has sparked concerns among industry leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

Published on: Jan 20, 2026, 20:51:42 IST

By Yamini C S

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Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar‑Shaw has expressed disappointment after reports emerged that the Centre declined approval for the proposed airport at Hosur, a project seen as crucial by both industry leaders and south Bengaluru residents to ease pressure on Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said it is a "big disappointment" to residents of south Bengaluru that the proposal to build an airport at Hosur was rejected.

ALSO READ | Three sites shortlisted for Bengaluru's 2nd airport. Details: Report

Posting on X, Mazumdar‑Shaw wrote, “That’s a big disappointment to south Bangalore residents. Hope this gets compensated by the proposed Kanakapura site.”

The Ministry of Defence reportedly refused clearance for the Hosur site because the airspace above the area is reserved for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) operations.

ALSO READ | Mohandas Pai calls Hosur airport ‘an attempt to attract Karnataka businesses,’ bats for infra improvement in state

Mazumdar‑Shaw’s comments resonated with residents in south Bengaluru, many of whom saw Hosur as a convenient location due to its proximity to industrial hubs and the city’s southern corridors.

“With Hosur off the table, the pressure is on to expedite the Bengaluru 2nd Airport decision. South Bengaluru needs a definitive timeline. Moving toward a site like Kanakapura or Bidadi isn't just about location, it's about streamlining the approval process to ensure we aren't still debating this in 2035,” an X user wrote in reply.

As per the existing agreement between Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), which operates Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, no other airport is permitted to begin operations within a 150-km radius of KIA until 2033, when the airport completes 25 years.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru's second airport will be constructed in south part of the city, says DK Shivakumar: Report

Against this backdrop, several industry leaders, companies and local residents felt that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s proposal for an international airport at Hosur could draw Karnataka-based industries across the border. Although Hosur lies in Tamil Nadu, it is only about 40 km from Bengaluru, has a significant Kannada-speaking population, and is already home to many professionals working in Electronics City, who commute daily due to Hosur’s lower cost of living compared to Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC) in December issued a tender to engage a consultant to carry out a comprehensive feasibility assessment of three potential sites identified for Bengaluru’s proposed second airport in the city’s outskirts. The shortlisted options include two neighbouring locations off Kanakapura Road, namely Chudahalli and Somanahalli, and another site near Nelamangala along the Tumakuru Road stretch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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