A well-intentioned new policy at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, designed to tackle illegal activities and congestion, is inadvertently creating a logistical nightmare for businesses and tour operators. The Bengaluru International Airport Limited's (BIAL) recently implemented regulations for parking and kerbside pick-up, while targeting touting and chaos, are proving highly disruptive for organized corporate travel involving large delegations.
Corporate Travel in Disarray
The core of the problem lies in the handling of pre-arranged private cabs, a staple for companies receiving international delegates and business groups. Corporate travel coordinators report that the system is impractical for managing sizable arrivals at Terminal 2, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the airport's layout. A corporate logistics manager for a multinational firm called the situation "deeply embarrassing and unprofessional," as international delegates are being asked to walk nearly 800 metres or wait for buggies.
Financial implications add to the strain. Companies with tie-ups with nominal-rate private operators are now forced to consider significantly costlier airport-authorised taxis. For groups of 20 or 30 people, this difference becomes financially unviable, straining travel budgets.
Operational Realities Clash with New Rules
Logistics managers handling large-scale events like global summits in Bengaluru highlight a critical breakdown in coordination. The previous system allowed for centralized tracking of flights, assignment of vehicles, and batch movement of delegates. The new framework, with vehicles pushed to distant parking areas and strict time-bound pickups, disrupts this chain. As one senior manager explained, a single delayed bag or an elderly delegate can now derail an entire meticulously planned transfer, underscoring the need for a separate, well-thought-out framework for group movement.
Another point of contention is the 30-minute pick-up window at Terminal 2. Cab drivers like Srinath R argue this is unrealistic. Common delays at baggage carousels, combined with the long walking distances to the P2 parking area, often mean drivers bear the brunt of the policy, facing penalties for exceeding the time limit through no fault of their own.
Support and Suggested Fixes
Despite the criticism, some see merit in the policy's goals. RK Misra, co-founder of Yulu, who faced initial hiccups like his private car being sent to the wrong lane, acknowledged that BIAL is trying to curb the menace of touts and taxis overstaying, which created chaos. He noted the system is largely streamlined for authorised taxis, private cars, and app-based cabs like Ola and Uber.
However, Misra flagged the specific gap for pre-booked corporate cabs, suggesting solutions like a pre-booked token system or priority access for a fee to reduce the inconvenient long walk. Urbanist Naresh Narasimhan supported the safety gains, stating the policy will certainly reduce touting. He accepted the "teething effects" as a reasonable trade-off, especially with the buggy system to assist senior citizens and mothers with children.
Airport officials have described the current challenges as "teething troubles," indicating a willingness to refine the system. The ongoing dialogue between BIAL, corporate users, and operators will be crucial in finding a balance that ensures safety and order without crippling the efficient movement of business and tourist groups that are vital to Bengaluru's economy.
