Passengers face ground reality in Bangalore

Passengers face ground reality in Bangalore
The Times of India

Bangalore: Ever wondered what greets foreigners when they step out of Bangalore Airport’s arrival area? Not just a cacophony of shrill horns and a cloud of black smoke from vehicle exhausts. Passengers have to virtually plough through vehicles parked haphazardly, trolleys strewn around and scores of cabbies making a beeline for that prospective passenger.

Locals don’t have it any better. If it’s an exorbitant Rs 50 parking fee even for a few minutes, lack of parking space forces them to leave their vehicle in the main areas, inviting the wrath of passengers and also a hefty fine from traffic police.

With over 100 domestic and 14 international flights operating at the airport, the acute space shortage has left the authorities and traffic police alike in a bind.

Parking lots are always packed and vehicles in hundreds spill on to the main areas outside the departure and arrival areas. It gets worse at night when most international flights bring in droves of passengers. The large number of cabs and even autorickshaws parked at bays accentuate the problem.

The existing parking facility that can accommodate 500 cars and 350 two-wheelers, is grossly inadequate for the present inflow of vehicles, nearly thrice its capacity.

K S Krishnamurthy, Bangalore director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), attributes the traffic problem to rapid increase in flights — it handles nearly 130 flights and 12,000 passengers. “There are too many vehicles. Besides the taxis, even employees bring four-wheelers. We are co-ordinating with the traffic police to find a solution,’’ Krishnamurthy said.

Moreover, while passengers dub the Rs 50 parking fee as absolutely preposterous since it’s not even time-bound, Krishnamurthy said the fee has been made uniform in airports throughout the country.

Rajan B, a doctor who recently picked up a friend from US at the airport, said: “Parking slots are already occupied by call taxis. There should be separate bays for them. The fee must be charged on hourly basis.’’
DCP Traffic (East) M A Saleem said a traffic expert has now been asked to come up with a plan for traffic regulation around the airport.

To a citizen’s suggestion to make entry and exit into the airport one-way, Saleem said, if done, VIP movement would disrupt traffic.

AIR-BORNE PROBLEMS

• Over 100 domestic and 14 international flights in airport, around 12,000 passengers daily.

• Existing parking facility can accommodate 500 cars and 350 two-wheelers. Inflow is thrice the capacity.

• Rs 50 parking fee not welcome by many.

• Fee valid for four hours

• Vehicles for pick-up/drop/parking anywhere in the airport premises will be charged if parked for more than 90 seconds

• Parking fee not exempted for flight delays

• Overnight parking requires prior information