Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh reviewing newly implemented measures at Terminal 1 of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Friday visited the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to review the lane segregation system which has drawn the ire of cab drivers and passengers.
Among key discussion points were the introduction of valet parking in P4 parking area and introduction of multi-level parking.
The new measures and overstay charges at the arrival kerbside came into effect in December 2025, and there has been a demand from cab drivers and passengers to roll it back.
During her visit to the airport, Ms. Rajneesh, who is also the Chairperson of the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), interacted with the airport officials who explained the new measures.
What has been done
According to a press release by the Information Department, following the inspection, key decisions were taken to streamline traffic movement and enhance passenger convenience. Among them are traffic management and infrastructure lane capacity.
“At present, the T1 arrival gate has four pick-up curbs with a total of 12 lanes. While each lane has the capacity to handle 30 vehicles every 90 seconds, the simultaneous arrival of over 100 vehicles leads to delays of up to 10 minutes. Measures have been initiated to address and mitigate this congestion,” it stated.
Valet parking
The release said that the BIAL has agreed to introduce valet parking services for private vehicles parked in the P4 parking area, enabling vehicles to be brought to the arrival lane within four minutes. “The timelines for this will be communicated later,” it said.
With regard to multi-level parking, the BIAL has shared that the existing P4 parking facility, which currently has a capacity of 1,000 vehicles, will be converted into a multi-level parking facility in the future.
It was also discussed that as per the BCAS guidelines, parking is prohibited within 100 metres of the arrival gate.
No honking zone
The Police Department has been instructed to declare this area a “No Honking Zone” and to take strict action against violators. It said that free access would continue for private (white-board) vehicles, while commercial (yellow-board) vehicles will be permitted only within designated zones.
It added that pick-up points for aggregator services, including Namma Yatri and Rapido, have been shifted from P1 and P2 to the P4 area.
“Only vehicles that meet the prescribed safety and compliance standards, including mandatory police verification, RTO fitness certification, AIS-140 tracking, functional panic buttons, the Suraksha Mitra app, uniformed drivers, and clean vehicles, will be registered through KSTDC and allowed parking near the arrival gate. And 900 permits have already been issued, with provisions to issue more if required,” it added.
It was discussed that inter-terminal and parking shuttle buses would operate every five minutes. In addition, six specially equipped vehicles with hydraulic facilities have been provided for senior citizens and wheelchair users.
Assistance desk
“A transport assistance desk has been set up to guide passengers. Twenty BIAL personnel have been deployed to assist with luggage, and new directional signage has been installed to ensure smooth and easy passenger movement,” it said.
“The new parking and pick-up system at the airport was introduced to address long-standing operational challenges at the arrival kerb, including unmanaged halts and congestion, and to deliver a safer, more orderly, and dependable arrival experience for all passengers,” a BIAL spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that BIAL would continue to ensure that arrival kerbsides across both terminals function efficiently through disciplined lane management, clear wayfinding, and assisted mobility, while carefully balancing safety, space utilisation, and the overall passenger experience.
Published – January 09, 2026 09:05 pm IST
