T.N. government seeks Defence Ministry’s nod for controlled airspace in Hosur

In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu government has written to the Ministry of Defence seeking approval to establish a controlled airspace for the Hosur airport.

Meanwhile, the State government has also appointed a consultant, which has begun the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey, a critical report needed before setting up an airport for safe flight operations. The report is expected to be ready by the end of July, sources said.

The airport at Hosur, which is located in Krishnagiri district near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, will benefit a huge section of people in both States.

Boost to manufacturing

The city, which is already an automobile and industrial hubs, has also been drawing more investments in recent times, and an airport here will give a much-needed impetus to the manufacturing ecosystem of the State.

Soon after the State government chose to build an airport at Hosur in 2024, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was given the task to examine the five sites that were identified.

Thereafter, two sites — one south of Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited’s (TAAL) and Hosur taluk and another east of Hosur and north of Shoolagiri — have been shortlisted.

After the AAI submitted the feasibility report, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of both sites, the State government wrote to the Ministry of Defence and also appointed a consultant recently to carry out the OLS survey around the same time.

“The airspace in the region falls under the Ministry of Defence and, hence, we have requested them to create a separate air control zone for establishing the airport. We have sought permission for both sites. We will hold discussions with them. When the final site is chosen by the State government, it will be communicated to them,” a source said. The Ministry of Defence may grant approval within the next three to four months, another source said.

The OLS survey is under way now for both sites, and it will be ready by July-end. “Obstacles are present at both sites. The site close to TAAL seems to have lesser undulations and a slightly better terrain. But, we will know more only when the OLS is completed, and the site will be chosen accordingly,” he added.