Thousands of passengers travel to and from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru every day, relying heavily on taxi services for last-mile connectivity. Today, many of them could face inconvenience
as airport taxi drivers and Kannada organisations have announced a protest against the newly introduced fine policy at the airport.
The agitation is expected to disrupt traffic and taxi services on routes leading to the airport, particularly around the Sadahalli toll gate. The protest comes in response to penalties imposed on yellow board commercial vehicles for extended waiting time near airport pick-up and drop-off zones.
What Triggered the Protest
The Bengaluru airport authorities recently rolled out a new fine policy aimed at regulating vehicle movement and reducing congestion in designated parking and waiting areas. Under the policy, yellow board vehicles, including airport taxis, are allowed to wait only for a limited duration before penalties are imposed.
According to the new rule, taxis can wait for up to 8 minutes in designated zones without any charge. If a vehicle remains parked for 8 to 13 minutes, a fine of Rs 150 is levied. For vehicles stopping between 13 and 18 minutes, the fine increases to Rs 300. The policy also allows authorities to tow vehicles that are deemed negligent or in violation of parking norms.
Airport officials say the policy is meant to ensure smoother traffic flow and discourage long halts near terminal areas. However, taxi drivers argue that the rule does not account for real-world delays faced by passengers.
Drivers Say Policy Hurts Their Livelihood
Taxi drivers have strongly opposed the fine structure, saying it unfairly penalises them for delays that are often beyond their control. Drivers point out that passengers may be delayed due to long security checks, baggage issues, flight delays, or unfamiliarity with the terminal layout.
Many drivers say that after factoring in fuel costs, toll charges, and commission paid to aggregators, the additional fines make airport trips financially unviable. They argue that being forced to pay penalties for waiting on passengers directly affects their daily earnings.
Kannada organisations have extended support to the drivers, stating that yellow board vehicles should not be penalised in a manner that threatens the livelihoods of local drivers.
Toll Gate Blockade Planned Near Sadahalli
As part of the protest, drivers have announced plans to block the toll gate near Sadahalli, a key access point on the airport route. The road blockade is expected to draw participation from hundreds of taxi drivers, which could slow down or temporarily halt traffic heading towards the airport.
Protesters are demanding that the airport management withdraw the fine policy for yellow board vehicles and revise the waiting-time rules to reflect practical on-ground conditions.
Airport Taxi Services Likely to Be Disrupted
Taxi unions have also announced that drivers will not provide pick-up services from the airport during the protest period. This could lead to a temporary shortage of airport taxis, forcing passengers to look for alternative transport options.
Passengers arriving at the airport may face longer wait times, higher demand for available cabs, or the need to rely on buses or private vehicles. Outbound passengers heading to the airport could also experience delays due to traffic congestion near protest zones.
What Passengers Should Keep in Mind
With the protest expected to impact both traffic flow and taxi availability, passengers travelling to the airport have been advised to plan their journeys with additional buffer time. Using alternate transport modes such as airport buses or arranging drop-offs in advance may help avoid last-minute stress.
Authorities are expected to monitor the situation and manage traffic where possible, but disruptions are likely until the issue is resolved.
An Ongoing Standoff
The protest highlights the growing friction between airport management policies and the operational realities faced by taxi drivers. While the airport aims to streamline vehicle movement, drivers say enforcement without flexibility risks pushing them out of airport operations altogether.
Whether the fine policy will be reviewed or the protest escalates further remains to be seen. For now, Bengaluru’s airport-bound commuters may need to brace for a challenging travel day.
