Hotel projects still on ground

Hotel projects still on ground
Hemanth C S, DH News Service, Bangalore :
If you thought poor road connectivity would be the biggest nightmare for passengers at the Bengaluru International Airport, think again...

For, there are even bigger ones awaiting them when the new airport starts its operation in March last week.
One such nightmare which a majority of the passengers are sure to encounter relates to the accommodation facilities.

No hotel or accommodation will be available on the day of the BIAL launch anywhere close to the airport. The nearest hotel would be in Bangalore, 40 kilometers away.

The two hotels, which BIAL, the promoters of the airport have selected for providing accommodation is expected to be operational only by the end of the year.

The international hotel belonging to the Oberoi group and other a standard one under the Trident Hilton brand, which will be within walking distance from the airport terminal building will be operational only by November 1 this year.

Until then, passengers would have to make do with a couple of resorts on the road connecting to Nandi hills in the north side of the airport and a few dingy hotels in Devanahalli town.

The Bengaluru International Airport, which is set to see its first flight alighting at the tarmac in the late hours of March 29 or in the wee hours of March 30 will handle eight domestic landings and 16 international flight landings before the morning of March 30.

Sources at HAL airport said a majority of the international flights operated between 10 pm to 5 am, and with no accommodation available, passengers would find it really tough.

To board an international flight one has to report at the airport three hours prior to the flights departure and given the poor road connectivity to the airport, he / she will have to leave his home at least four or five hours before the flight’s departure to reach their destination.