Yelahanka gears up for Aero India 2025 with a facelift & tight security

Bengaluru: Areas around the Air Force Station in Yelahanka are getting a facelift ahead of Aero India 2025, set to take place next week.

DH reporters visited the area to assess the preparations by civic agencies and capture the excitement in the vicinity.

The first sight that greets visitors is a series of signboards warning about restricted items and activities around the station. The loud whoosh of fighter jets fills the air, setting the stage for the grand event. A crowd had gathered along the roadside to watch the rehearsals.

Many local residents are eagerly anticipating the event.

Sandeep, a Yelahanka resident and an aviation enthusiast, said, “I am a big fan of aviation and defence and try to attend the show without fail.” He was among half a dozen spectators watching the rehearsals from an "unofficial" viewing spot near Gantiganahalli, where the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and Sukhoi fighter jets were seen practicing their routines in the morning.

Thimmaiah, another Yelahanka resident, brought his in-laws to witness the rehearsals from the street. “The Aero Show is a great opportunity for defence companies to present their technology and for industrialists to participate and make important deals with the government,” he said. Like Sandeep, he has attended the event multiple times.

Meat ban 

With the ban on sale of meat around the Air Force Station banned from January 27 to February 17, local meat vendors are facing financial losses.

One shop owner estimated a daily loss of Rs 8,000 due to the ban. "People who worked in the store quit their jobs as I cannot pay their salaries without running the business. The ban has made things difficult,” he said.

However, another meat shop has used the downtime as an opportunity to renovate.

Cauvery water

The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is supplying five million litres per day (MLD) from January 1 to February 20. Also, nine water tankers and three jetting vehicles have been deployed to supply temporary toilets and drinking water stations set up by HAL for military camps and BBMP facilities outside the venue.

The SKAT show

The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) will showcase aerial manoeuvres using red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 jets.

The team, led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi and Deputy Leader Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik, will fly nine aircraft within a five-metre distance of one another.

Recently, smoke pods were integrated into the aircraft to produce coloured smoke, displaying the national tricolour mid-air.

Civic body gears up 

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is doing its bit to ensure a smooth event. Here's how they will tackle the issues:    

Waste management: Segregation of household and commercial waste, and removal of black spots near Bagalur Main Road and Bellahalli Main Road to reduce bird activity.

Fishing restrictions: Fishing has been restricted in Yelahanka and Hunasamaranahalli lakes to prevent increased bird movement.

Roadwork: Potholes have been filled, and roads like Nitte Meenakshi Road and Bagalur Road have been reasphalted.

Parking: Space for 2,000 vehicles has been allocated inside the GKVK campus.

Canteens: Three mobile Indira Canteens will be set up inside the venue for cab drivers and workers.

Toilets: 300 mobile toilets have been installed at GKVK and the Air Force Station.

Security measures: Trees along the station’s boundary have been pruned to prevent unauthorised access.

Lighting: Streetlights along key routes have been repaired to ensure well-lit access roads to the event.

Traffic arrangements

The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have issued an advisory for the air show.

Visitors heading to the Aero Display Viewing Area parking lot should take a left at Jakkur Junction and proceed via Nagenahalli Junction to reach the parking lot.
Domestic parking users can continue on the airport road as usual.

The GKVK campus is offering free parking, with an AC shuttle service to transport attendees to the venue.

To ease congestion, all vehicles, especially cabs and taxis heading to the airport, must use the Hennur-Bagalur Road instead of the Hebbal Junction.

Nitte Meenakshi Road and Bagalur Main Road will be one-way roads during the event.

Signboards about restricted items and activities around the station.