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A fee of Rs 150 will be charged from vehicles stopping for 8 to 13 minutes. Those staying for 13 to 18 minutes will be charged Rs 300.
Commercial vehicles, including yellow-board taxis, app-based aggregators and electric cabs, are no longer allowed to wait at the terminal kerbside. (Image: X)
If you are flying to Bengaluru after December 8, your arrival experience at Kempegowda International Airport will change. The airport, operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), is introducing a revised pick-up system aimed at reducing congestion, improving security and making arrivals easier for passengers and drivers.
This step has been taken when the traffic at the airport is increasing rapidly. BLR Airport currently handles approximately 130,000 passengers daily, while approximately 100,000 vehicles use the airport’s road network daily. This combination has placed enormous pressure on the curbside pick-up lanes outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, often resulting in slow speeds, unsafe stops, and confusion during peak hours.
Why is the pick-up system being changed?
Airport officials say the biggest reason for congestion is the long waiting time at the arrivals area by private vehicles and cabs. Vehicles often park on the roadside or enter the pick-up area long before passengers are ready, blocking lanes and creating artificial congestion.
To address this, BLR Airport is introducing a structured lane separation system. Its objective is to improve discipline, prevent unauthorized parking, reduce waiting times and keep traffic flowing outside the terminals.
What do private car users need to know?
Private cars with white number plates will be allowed free entry into the designated arrivals pick-up zones at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, but only for a limited time.
All private vehicles will get free access for 8 minutes inside the pick-up zone. If a vehicle stops for longer than this limit, a charge will apply.
Vehicles stopping between 8 and 13 minutes will be charged Rs 150. A fee of Rs 300 will be charged from vehicles stopping between 13 and 18 minutes. Any vehicle remaining in the pick-up zone for more than 18 minutes will be towed to the nearest police station with applicable fines and towing charges.
Passengers are advised to coordinate closely with their drivers and call for pick-up only after exiting the terminal to avoid unnecessary delays and fines.
New waiting rules for cabs and taxis
Commercial vehicles, including yellow-board taxis, app-based aggregators and electric cabs, are no longer allowed to wait at the terminal kerbside. Instead, they will have to wait in designated parking areas, where the first 10 minutes of parking will be free. This allows drivers to enter the pick-up area only after the passenger is ready.
For Terminal 1, cabs must wait in the P4 and P3 parking zones. For Terminal 2, the designated waiting area is the P2 parking area. Only authorized cab services are allowed for airport pick-up. Any vehicle stopping in unauthorized areas, blocking lanes, or waiting outside arrival gates will be fined.
Action against unauthorized pick-up
Airport officials say they have noticed an increase in the number of unauthorized cabs waiting at arrival gates, exit ramps and roadside around the terminal. Such practices have led to congestion, slowed down traffic and posed a safety risk to pedestrians and drivers.
Under the new system, any deviation from specified pick-up procedures, including unauthorized stops and overstays, will result in fines being imposed on cab operators and others violating the rules.
What do airport officials say
BIAL officials have said the new system is not intended to be aggressive enforcement but systematic movement. As the number of passengers increases, it is essential to maintain discipline in the pick-up areas to ensure quicker, safer and more predictable arrivals.
He has urged passengers, cab operators and drivers to cooperate so that congestion can be reduced for everyone.
Part of a larger passenger-centric push
These measures are part of the airport’s broader #BeCabWise initiative, which focuses on safer and better-regulated pick-up operations. The initiative includes clear signage, better ground-level guidance, better digital communication and coordination with ride-hailing platforms.
For passengers, the key takeaway is simple: be prepared before your vehicle enters the pick-up area, stick to designated areas and avoid unnecessary waiting. Small changes in timing and coordination can significantly reduce congestion during busy travel periods.
As BLR Airport continues to grow, these new rules are designed to ensure arrivals remain orderly, safe and less stressful for everyone involved.
December 03, 2025, 12:41 IST
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