Overview
- The leading candidate is a 46-acre Bangalore Development Authority site in Challaghatta–Bheemanakuppe inspected by D K Shivakumar near the Bengaluru–Mysuru access-controlled highway.
- The long-discussed observation tower is planned at roughly 250 metres with an estimated cost of about Rs 500 crore as a tourism and jobs driver.
- A final location decision is pending while safety clearances, environmental assessments and feasibility reviews are completed, with a formal announcement expected after departmental approvals.
- Earlier options in Baiyappanahalli, Hemmigepura, Kommaghatta and the Bangalore University area were dropped over aviation restrictions, community opposition and environmental concerns.
- Shivakumar said land tied to the NICE corridor was ruled out after the firm refused a no-objection certificate, reinforcing the pivot to BDA land to reduce legal hurdles and accelerate execution.