Bengaluru: In response to mounting passenger complaints over severe congestion at the arrival gates of Kempegowda International Airport, Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, on Thursday visited and reviewed the new parking and vehicle registration system introduced by the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
During a detailed meeting with airport officials, BIAL explained that Terminal-1 arrivals currently have four pickup zones with three lanes each (12 lanes total), designed to handle around 30 cars every 90 seconds. However, the ground reality showed nearly 100 vehicles entering the pickup area at once, resulting in wait times of up to 10 minutes, triggering chaos and artificial congestion at the arrival gate.
Officials admitted that there was no effective mechanism earlier to regulate the entry of private (white-board) and commercial (yellow-board) vehicles, leading to disorder. BIAL also informed the Chief Secretary that passenger complaints had surged by nearly 100%, as reflected in the airportโs feedback system.
Key Regulatory and Operational Issues Flagged
The review highlighted that all national and international airports allow free pickup access for private vehicles, while commercial taxis are regulated separately and charged an aggregator fee per ride.
As per Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines, no parking facility is permitted within 100 metres of the arrival gate. The Chief Secretary directed that this area be notified as a โNo-Honking Zoneโ, with strict enforcement by the police, including immediate action against violators.
Measures Announced After the Review
Following the inspection, several corrective measures were outlined:
- 1,000 parking slots have been earmarked at P4 exclusively for registered app-based taxi operators.
- App-based services such as Namma Yatri, Yatri and Rapido have been shifted from P1 and P2 to P4.
- A wallet-based valet service will be introduced for private car owners parking at P4, ensuring vehicles reach arrival lanes within four minutes.
- Inter-terminal shuttle buses now operate every five minutes, along with six dedicated vehicles for senior citizens and wheelchair users, equipped with hydraulic lifts.
- A transport/transfer desk has been set up to educate passengers about the new system.
- 20 BIAL staff members have been deployed along walkways to assist passengers, including with luggage.
- Improved signage has been installed to guide passengers to parking areas and shuttle services.
Infrastructure Enhancements
BIAL also highlighted that the earlier 550-metre walking corridor, equipped with two escalators, 100 metres of travelators and EV buggies, has now been supplemented with free shuttle services, making transfers faster and more convenient.
Taxi Registration & Compliance
All commercial vehicles seeking arrival-gate access must comply with mandatory requirements, including:
- Police verification
- RTO fitness certificates
- AIS-140 vehicle tracking and panic buttons
- Registration on the Suraksha Mitra app
- Verified certificates via the VAHAN portal
- Uniformed drivers, clean taxis, removal of child locks
Such vehicles will be registered through KSTDC, making them eligible for controlled arrival-gate parking.
BIAL confirmed that 900 licences have already been issued, with scope for more if required. Restrictions under the earlier agreement that limited multiple taxi categories have now been relaxed, with Karnataka government-approved fares to be enforced.
Officials said the Chief Secretaryโs intervention is expected to significantly ease arrival-gate congestion, restore passenger confidence, and bring Bengaluru airport operations in line with global best practices.
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