Defence Ministry Blocks Hosur Airport Clearance
The Union Ministry of Defence has refused to grant airspace clearance for the proposed Hosur international airport in Tamil Nadu, officials confirmed. The decision is based on airspace constraints around the region, which is used for defence and test flight operations, making it difficult to accommodate civilian airport activities.
Airspace and Project Challenges
The proposed airport in Hosur’s Shoolagiri taluk is planned to boost regional connectivity and support industrial growth. However, the defence authorities said that the airspace around Hosur overlaps with areas used for military and aerospace activities, limiting the ability to safely integrate a civilian airport. The nearest major airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, about 75 km away, and existing agreements also restrict new airports within 150 km of Bengaluru’s facility.
Local Opposition and Next Steps
In addition to the defence clearance issue, farmers in Hosur and Shoolagiri villages have protested against land acquisition for the project, citing concerns over loss of agricultural land. The Tamil Nadu government will need to address both airspace and land issues before the project can proceed further.
