A viral social media post has thrown a harsh spotlight on the persistent transportation problems plaguing Bengaluru, India's tech capital. The issue came to the fore after a video depicting an extraordinarily long queue for ride-hailing services at the city's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) sparked widespread online discussion and frustration.
The Viral Complaint That Started It All
The controversy began when X user Disha Saini shared a video on November 5, 2025, capturing a sea of passengers waiting with their luggage at the Uber pickup point. In her post, Saini expressed her exasperation, stating that she had to wait more than 2 hours just to get a cab after landing at the airport at night.
The clip quickly went viral, resonating with countless travellers who have faced similar ordeals. It shows a seemingly endless line of people, highlighting the severe gap between demand and the availability of transport options at one of India's busiest airports.
A Symptom of a Larger Problem
This incident is not an isolated one but rather a symptom of Bengaluru's deeper infrastructural and logistical challenges. Located far from the city centre, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has long been notorious for its traffic snarls. Travellers often report that the journey to and from the airport can take longer than their actual flight time, a point humorously yet painfully echoed by one social media user who noted, "my flight from Mumbai to Bangalore was 2hrs and from BLR airport to City was 4hrs!"
The public reaction to the viral video was swift and unanimous in its criticism. Many users confirmed that the situation has deteriorated in recent months. One user advised landing in the afternoon or evening to avoid getting "stuck in the parking lot for 4 hours," while another suggested that companies should offer more work-from-home options to alleviate the city's population pressure.
Seeking Solutions and Alternatives
Amid the complaints, some users offered practical alternatives to avoid the chaos. Several recommended using the pre-paid airport taxi service, acknowledging that while it is "a bit expensive," it involves fewer hassles and shorter waits compared to app-based cabs. This sentiment underscores a growing frustration among residents and visitors alike with the city's inability to provide reliable and efficient public transport and last-mile connectivity.
The viral video and the ensuing debate have once again pushed the conversation about Bengaluru's crippling infrastructure into the mainstream. It serves as a stark reminder that for a city aspiring to be a global tech hub, resolving its fundamental transport woes is not just a matter of convenience but a critical necessity for its future growth and the well-being of its inhabitants.
