Heavy rainfall in Bengaluru on Wednesday caused a significant shortage of ride-hailing cabs at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and facing long waiting times. The downpour, which began in the afternoon and continued into the evening, disrupted transportation services across the city, with the airport being one of the worst affected areas.
Passengers Face Hours of Waiting
Many travelers reported waiting for over two hours to book a cab through popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola. The surge in demand, coupled with a reduced number of available drivers due to the adverse weather conditions, led to skyrocketing fares. Some passengers complained of fares being three to four times higher than usual.
One passenger, who arrived at the airport around 6 PM, said, "I tried booking a cab for over an hour, but there were no drivers available. Finally, I had to pay three times the usual fare to get a ride." Another traveler noted that the queue for prepaid taxis was also extremely long, with wait times exceeding an hour.
Airport Authorities Respond
In response to the situation, airport authorities deployed additional buses and encouraged passengers to use the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) airport services. However, the buses were also crowded, and many passengers opted to wait for cabs despite the high prices.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) issued a statement advising passengers to plan their travel accordingly and consider alternative modes of transport. They also assured that they were working with ride-hailing companies to increase the availability of cabs.
Weather Forecast and Impact
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in Bengaluru over the next few days, which could lead to further disruptions. The heavy rain has also caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, leading to traffic jams and delays.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of Bengaluru's transportation infrastructure to extreme weather events. The city has been grappling with frequent traffic congestion and inadequate public transport, and the recent rains have exacerbated these issues.
As of Wednesday night, the situation at KIA was gradually improving, with more cabs becoming available as the rain subsided. However, passengers are advised to check the weather forecast and plan their journeys with extra time to account for potential delays.
