Bengaluru airport suspends entry fee for vehicles amid public outrage

Cabs and other commercial vehicles were subjected to an entry fee of Rs 150 for up to seven minutes, and after seven minutes, the fee would have increased to Rs 300

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (Bial) has revoked its decision to impose entry fee for vehicles. 

Sources said that the Bial halted its plans to implement an entry fee for arrival pickups due to protests from drivers, backlash from passengers, and widespread online criticism on Monday, according to a report in Moneycontrol.

In opposition to the decision, cab drivers had also planned to stage a protest from Begur Road to the arrival pickup point on May 22, demanding a reversal of the policy.

The Bial had imposed an entry fee for both private and commercial vehicles starting from May 20.

 

According to a source from Bial, charges for staying and overstaying applied to vehicles using the arrival pick-up lanes at Terminals 1 and 2. Yellow board vehicles, which include cabs and other commercial vehicles, were subjected to an entry fee of Rs 150 for up to seven minutes. After seven minutes, the fee would have increased to Rs 300. Whiteboard vehicles, designated for private use, were required to pay Rs 150 for durations exceeding seven minutes up to 14 minutes. 

An entry fee of Rs 600 applied to buses, whereas tempo travellers were required to pay Rs 300. Both buses and tempo travellers were permitted to enter through lane three at Terminal 1.

On Sunday, chaos erupted at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) due to the abrupt implementation of entry fees without prior notice.

The report quoted a source as saying, "The introduction of the pay and use zone at the KIA arrival zones will facilitate traffic flow, while enhanced security measures will prevent issues like haphazard parking and unattended vehicles in Terminal 1 and 2 arrival zones."

A source from Bial, as quoted by the report, had said the newly introduced fees would apply to vehicles accessing the airport's arrival zones but will not impact app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber, which operate within designated zones. Likewise, Meru Cabs, Mega Cabs, and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) airport taxis were exempted from these fees as they already pay separate charges to Bial.

"Unattended vehicles and vehicles staying beyond 15 minutes will be towed to the nearest police station at the owner's cost," reads the board installed at Bengaluru airport.

Unesco awards Kempegowda T2

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru garnered prestigious honours at Unesco's 2023 Prix Versailles. Recognised as one of the "World's most beautiful airports", Terminal 2 (T2) was awarded the "World special prize for interior design 2023".

Chaired by acclaimed fashion designer Elie Saab, the Prix Versailles 2023 global jury unveiled the latest architectural projects, with Bengaluru airport standing as the only Indian recipient of this esteemed recognition.

Following the recognition, Hari Marar, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bengaluru International Airport Ltd, said, "The nomination of Terminal 2 for the 2023 Prix Versailles Award is a moment of immense pride, and we are pleased to see the terminal receiving the recognition it deserves. T2, with its unique blend of art and technology, serves as a distinctive gateway, leaving a lasting impression on global travellers and offering a glimpse of the rich offerings of our state and country."

(This copy has been updated)