Chikkaballapur Member of Parliament K Sudhakar has strongly urged Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to scrap the recently implemented pick-up and parking system at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The MP labelled the new arrangements as highly inconvenient for air passengers and severely disruptive for the livelihoods of thousands of taxi drivers.
MP's Direct Appeal in Stakeholder Meeting
During a crucial meeting held on Tuesday with officials from BIAL and other concerned parties, Sudhakar formally demanded that the airport operator roll back the pick-up policy introduced at Terminal 1. This intervention came after numerous taxi unions and private transport operators raised the issue with the government, complaining that the revised rules have directly hit their earnings and created unnecessary hassle for travellers.
The Core of the Controversy
The dispute centres on a new operational guideline at KIA's Terminal 1. Under this policy, private taxi operators are now restricted to picking up passengers only from designated points located at parking zones P3 and P4. These zones are situated approximately 800 metres away from the main arrival area, a significant distance compared to previous arrangements.
This change sparked immediate protests from airport taxi drivers, who have accused BIAL of showing preferential treatment to app-based cab aggregators over local service providers. Highlighting the massive economic impact, Sudhakar revealed that a vast network of 18,000 to 20,000 young drivers from districts including Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, and Tumakuru depend on airport taxi services for their primary income. This ecosystem supports nearly one lakh dependants.
Operational Challenges and the Path Forward
"Since December 8, drivers were shifted to these distant pick-up zones, leading to serious operational challenges and a loss of income," the MP stated. He emphasised that the earlier, more accessible parking arrangement must be restored to ensure fairness. "Passengers must have the freedom to choose their preferred service provider without being forced into a system that causes inconvenience," Sudhakar added.
In response to the growing conflict, State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy is scheduled to chair a follow-up meeting on Wednesday. This high-level discussion will involve BIAL management and senior government officials in a bid to find a permanent resolution to the ongoing issue.
