Doubling the capacity of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India

Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru started a US$1.73 billion expansion plan in 2015 to double its capacity to 45 million passengers a year. This paper describes the civil engineering elements of the substantial expansion, including 16 million m3 of earthworks followed by building of a new 4 km parallel runway, a 255 000 m2 second terminal and associated roads, bridges, power and water infrastructure. The latter includes a campus-wide system of interconnected rainwater harvesting ponds, underlining the airport’s commitment to sustainability. The existing airport remained operational through the expansion works, which – following significant restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic – are due for successful completion in 2022.