In poll season, CM inaugurates incomplete toll-free road to KIA

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the alternative toll-free road to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) from Begur on Sunday. The problem though is that the project is not complete.

With elections expected to be held in May, the state government seemed to be in a hurry to inaugurate the project without consulting KIA about its preparedness.

The Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL), which manages KIA, has put up barricades blocking entry of vehicles from its compound wall and from inside the KIA.

Earlier, BIAL officials had said that the road is ready and it could be thrown open to the public anytime.

On Sunday, however, BIAL spokesperson told DH: "The road is not yet ready. Electrical poles and signage boards have to erected and this may take two weeks."

For vehicles moving from East and Southeast, like Whitefield and Marathahalli, to the KIA, the  toll-free road reduces the distance from 18 km to 8 km.

Radhakrishna Holla K, president of Bengaluru tourists vehicles owners association, said there are around 75,000 vehicles that enter KIA every day. Of this, 25,000 vehicles would use the toll-free road once its thrown open.

"The toll fee is Rs 125. If KIA is not allowing the vehicles to move on the alternative road, then they could be hand in glove with toll plaza authorities. We will hold a protest on Monday if they continue  to ban movement of vehicles," Holla said.

"The alternative road not only reduces distance and time for vehicle users but also reduces traffic congestion inside the city. The project work began in 2016. Do they need  two years to complete 900 metres of road  work?" Holla asked.  

Interestingly, the  Public Works Department (PWD) completed 400 metres of work on the 900-metre stretch.

Additional Chief Secretary (PWD) M Lakshminarayana said that the road is open to the public but BIAL has put barricades.  

"They said some work is pending, like erecting electricity poles... it can be done within four to five days," said Lakshminarayana.

"BIAL can open the road from 6 am to 6 pm and do their work during the night till the completion of work," Lakshminarayana added.

On Sunday, no work was carried out but all the electric poles are in place and only signage boards need to be fixed one side of the road.