By R. Chandra Prakash
Mysore Airport has been in the news for quite some time, but mostly for the wrong reasons. However, there was recently some good news. Finally, the State Government has agreed to release funds for the acquisition of the additional land needed to facilitate runway expansion, allowing bigger planes to operate from Mysore Airport.
This would enable Mysuru to get air connectivity to other important cities in the country. It would further accelerate the development of tourism and the IT and BT industries around Mysuru. However, at a time when Mysureans were looking forward to such a happy scenario, new impediments have emerged that threaten the development of Mysore Airport. It appears as if this project is jinxed.
NOC from AAI
As per the latest notification issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), all new high-rises within a 56-km radius of Mysore Airport must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from AAI.
AAI has released a colour-coded zoning map for Mysore Airport, categorising areas into Green, Pink, Yellow and Red Zones. These zones specify height limits for structures and natural obstructions that could endanger aircraft operations.
The zoning map indicates clear guidelines for safe urban development around the airport. The Red Zone indicates the most restricted area near the runway, surrounded by Yellow, Pink, and Green Zones extending outward.
Local authorities, such as the Mysuru City Corporation, Mysuru Development Authority, Nanjangud Town and parts of Chamarajanagar and Mandya Districts located within a 56-km radius, have been directed to approve construction plans only after applicants obtain an NOC from AAI.
Telecommunication towers, both existing and proposed within the said area, must also comply with this NOC requirement.
Master Plan and the implications of NOC
It is to be noted that the plans for the expansion and development of Mysore Airport have been in the public domain for more than two decades. During this same period, the Mysore-Nanjangud Master Plan-2031 has been under public discussion and was finally approved by the authorities in 2014-15.
As per this Master Plan, the expanded urbanisation area was to include lands between the erstwhile Mysuru city limits and the Nanjangud town limits. Interestingly, Mysore Airport is located at Mandakalli village, which happens to be, more or less, at the epicentre of this newly carved and expanded urbanised area.
Due to the overall effect of the Master Plan, private agricultural lands between these two areas have quickly been converted into commercial and industrial plots. Even the KIADB has established several new industrial estates in the region. Land values have shot up geometrically.
The urban area of Mysuru city has now extended beyond Mandakalli village, and many residential layouts and buildings have come up in the area. Many of these constructions are located close to the present airport boundary. The Mysuru City Corporation has also established a new Solid Waste Management unit on land not very far from the airport.
Mysuru is looking forward to all-round, faster economic development, particularly after the new Expressway between Mysuru and Bengaluru reduced the travel time between the two cities to just 90 minutes. This economic growth of Mysuru is also being stimulated by increasing traffic congestion and the rising cost of living in Bengaluru.
Will Devanahalli movement repeat?
Now, it seems that the notification for obtaining an NOC from AAI — particularly for areas falling under the Red Zone — might have come too late. What will happen to high-rises that already exist in the Red Zone? What will be the effect on the high land values in these zones, as the 56-km radius area also includes parts of Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts?
Since the NOC covers such vast areas, it will certainly generate strong opposition from land-owners, developers and other interested parties. It is strongly rumoured that much of this land is under the ownership and control of politicians.
Therefore, a land-owners’ movement could be a very effective tool to corner the government and stall the airport expansion project.
Just a couple of days ago, the Chief Minister agreed to the agitating Devanahalli farmers’ demand and withdrew the proposal to acquire 4,000 acres of land for establishing an Aviation Museum. Therefore, we will have to keep our fingers crossed and wait. But there is one more development that does not augur well for the future of Mysore Airport.
Location of the second Bengaluru Airport
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at Devanahalli, Bengaluru, is reaching its optimal capacity very soon. Therefore, a second airport for Bengaluru has become necessary.
M.B. Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Industries and Infrastructure Development, has proposed three locations to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Two sites are along Kanakapura Road — near Kaggalipura in Bengaluru Urban District and Harohalli in Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) — and the third is at Chikkasolur in Bengaluru Rural District along the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road.
However, aviation expert Devesh Agarwal considers all three sites unsuitable. On the contrary, he has suggested that the new airport be located between Bengaluru and Mysuru.
He opined, “Besides serving several Tier-2 cities in the south and southwest of Bengaluru, this new airport will also aid various industries in the region. The Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway is an added advantage.”
It is noteworthy to recall my articles ‘Demand for International Airport for Mysuru: Some Basic Issues’ (Star of Mysore dated Aug. 19, 2020) and ‘Has Mysuru Gone Bengaluru Way–3: KIA Location—A Myopic Decision’ (SOM dated Dec. 29, 2021), which elaborated on this issue and pondered how, instead of Devanahalli, a location between Bengaluru and Mysuru would have been an ideal choice.
Impact on Mysore Airport expansion
If the second airport is indeed located between Bengaluru and Mysuru, then the expansion and development of Mysore Airport may become redundant. The new airport — an international one — would be only about 40 – 50 kms away from Mysuru and easily reachable within one hour via the Highway. Unfortunately, Mysuru’s airport seems to be cursed. Despite being one of the oldest in the country, it may only remain a heritage airport.
This post was published on July 20, 2025 6:05 pm