Commuters demand urgent repair of Hennur–Bagalur road linking Bengaluru airport

Garbage piled up on Thanisandra Main Road, leading to the Kempegowda International Airport, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
ALLEN EGENUSE J.

The Hennur–Bagalur stretch, widely known as the ‘alternate route’ to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), has become a nightmare for motorists.

Regular commuters complained that the road was filled with deep potholes and uneven surfaces, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to pass smoothly.

Despite being a crucial road for the residents of Bengaluru, the stretch has remained neglected for years. Commuters argued that if repaired properly, the road could serve as a major route to airport-bound traffic by cutting down travel time, fuel consumption, and congestion on the main highway leading to the airport.

The local residents said the situation had worsened in recent months, especially around Hennur junction, Kothanur, K. Narayanapura, Mittaganahalli junction, and Bagalur junction areas dotted with large crater-like puddles.

Poor maintenance and repeated patchwork

The residents said that the Public Works Department (PWD), which is responsible for maintaining this stretch, had failed to carry out lasting repair works. Arjun V., a resident of Hennur, said, “The alternate road to the airport is in pathetic shape. Large potholes are scattered across several junctions. Every time the PWD tries to fix them, the work lasts only for a few days. The patchwork does not withstand even light rain.”

Ravindra Kamath, an airport employee who frequently travels on this route, said the condition of the road reflects poorly on Bengaluru’s image. “This road has been in a terrible state for nearly a year. When it rains, the potholes turn into puddles, forcing all vehicles to move in a single lane. It’s shameful that an international airport is connected by such a damaged road. The sides are covered with silt and debris, forcing motorists to move to the middle, which is equally bad,” he said.

He added that the road’s poor condition poses a serious safety risk, especially for two-wheelers and night-time travellers. “We see accidents almost every day. The government should take action before any untoward incidents occur,” Mr. Kamath added.

The poor state of the road has also affected cab and taxi drivers, who use this route regularly to ferry passengers to the airport. Many of them report vehicle damage and higher maintenance costs due to the rough surface.

Streetlights were not properly lit, which made travelling dangerous at night. Nagaraju H.S., a cab driver, said, “This road is not just battered but also poorly lit. After dark, many drivers avoid it altogether. Recently, my car hit a pothole I couldn’t see in the dark, and it damaged my bumper badly. It’s unsafe for both drivers and passengers.”

Travel Operators’ Association raises concern

The Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association (KSTOA) has also voiced its concerns about airport connectivity. The association urged the development of an alternative road of international standards to meet the growing demand from domestic and international travellers.

KSTOA president Radhakrishna Holla said the Hennur–Bagalur stretch has the potential to serve as a parallel airport route if developed properly. “Improving this road will significantly ease pressure on the main airport highway and help manage the rising traffic load. We have been urging the authorities to upgrade it on priority,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) official assured that the civic body has taken note of the complaints and that necessary measures would be initiated soon. “We will coordinate with engineers from the respective zone and inspect the damage. Once the assessment is completed, we will prioritise the repair work to make the road motorable again,” the official said.