Karnataka's Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, launched a sharp critique on Wednesday against the recently implemented parking and pick-up policy at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Following a personal inspection, the minister directly questioned the airport authorities' motives, asking if their intention was to make people spend more money.
Minister's Scathing Remarks and Passenger Woes
During his visit, Minister Reddy highlighted the significant inconvenience caused to travellers. He pointed out that passengers are now compelled to walk nearly a kilometre from the arrival area to reach the new parking zones. "People have to now walk for nearly one km from the arrival area. It is causing inconvenience for passengers with children and luggage," Reddy stated. He also raised concerns about the difficulties faced by cab drivers under the new system.
Reddy's confrontation with the airport management was blunt. "Do you want people to spend more money? if it is in your mind, let me know," he reportedly asked the officials, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current arrangements. Although Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) representatives mentioned the availability of shuttle bus services, the minister remained unconvinced about their adequacy as a solution.
BMTC Bus Services Take a Major Hit
The new policy has had a tangible negative impact on public transport usage from the airport. According to data from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the daily passenger count on its Vayu Vajra airport shuttle buses has seen a dramatic decline. The numbers have dropped from 14,000 to just 11,000 passengers per day since the policy was introduced last month.
This drop is further exacerbated by a reduction in bus infrastructure at Terminal 1, which handles domestic flights. Previously, BMTC operated from two rows with eight bus bays each. However, an entire row has been removed, squeezing the service's operational capacity. BMTC buses connect the airport to 22 different routes across the city.
Airport's Defence and Minister's Next Steps
In response to the criticism, a BIAL spokesperson clarified that the bus bay was not removed but relocated. "The main bus bay has been shifted to Terminal 2 at the multi-level parking facility, where a larger bus bay has been provided, and the space at Terminal 1 currently functions only as a BMTC and KSRTC bus pick-up point," the spokesperson explained.
Unswayed by this explanation, Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced his intention to escalate the matter. He told reporters that he would take up the issue directly with Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, who also serves as the Chairperson of BIAL. The move indicates the state government's serious concerns regarding the policy's impact on the travelling public and its commitment to seeking a resolution.
