Cab drivers staging a protest on Tuesday .
Credit: Karnataka Chalakara Okkuta
Bengaluru: Hundreds of taxi drivers protested on Tuesday morning near the Sadahalli toll against new pickup restrictions at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
Around 400 drivers from unions such as Karnataka Chalakara Okkuta, Peace Auto Union and Bruhat Bengaluru Auto and Taxi Drivers Union attempted to block the toll gate at 9 am, demanding that airport authorities revoke the new pickup rules.
The protest turned tense as some individuals became aggressive, prompting police to carry out lathicharge. The protest caused brief traffic congestion near the toll plaza.
Under the new rules, private vehicles get eight minutes of free stay at both terminals. Stay between 8–13 minutes is charged Rs 150, and 13–18 minutes Rs 300. Vehicles overstaying 18 minutes will be towed and fined.
Commercial vehicles must wait at designated parking zones, with 10 minutes of complimentary parking.
After this, cab drivers pay Rs 100 for 30 minutes and Rs 50 for each additional hour.
G Narayanaswamy, president of Karnataka Chalakara Okkuta, said, “These rules were introduced without consulting us; 10 minutes is not enough, and the airport authorities know this. They must increase the wait time or withdraw the rules.”
Narayanaswamy, who called for the protest, said, “We spoke with the Joint Commissioner of Police (East) and the Deputy Commissioner, who assured us the issue would be resolved in two days. However, we have given them four days. If this is not settled, next we will protest at Terminal 1.”
‘Unfair to drivers, passengers’
The drivers’ union has the support of Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who has written to BIAL to either reduce or revoke the fees.
Reddy told DH he is yet to receive a response from BIAL.
“The letter was sent to the authorities on
December 3.
“The new rules are unfair to both drivers and passengers. If needed, I will consult other ministers to protect drivers’ livelihoods and passenger comfort,” he said.
‘Right move’
BIAL MD and CEO Hari Marar said he would personally oversee the implementation of the new rules.
“We are monitoring the situation, and I am confident the system will stabilise over the next month. Importantly, this change improves passenger safety. For years, we received serious complaints, including from single women, about harassment and extortion by unauthorised taxi operators — risks far greater than a short walk of 500–700 metres,” he said, adding a return to the earlier system would be a step backwards.
“This is the right move, and we are committed to refining it further.”