Bengaluru airport suspends entry fee levy on vehicles after outrage

Responding to Moneycontrol's report, citizens outraged and expressed concern, forcing authorities to reconsider and rollback the move for now

Hours after Moneycontrol carried a report on Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)'s move to impose entry fee for vehicles, the decision has been revoked.

According to sources, BIAL suspended the move to impose entry fee for arrival pickups following protests from drivers and backlash from passengers as well as online outrage on Monday.

Quoting Moneycontrol's report, Bengaluru airport: Now, cabs need to pay Rs 150 for entry, private vehicles to pay fee beyond 7 mins, agitated citizens called it "daylight robbery".

Sources said the plan was to collect the entry fee through FASTag, leading to automatic deduction. For now though heeding the general anger and concern, the plan has been rescinded, they said.

BIAL was unavailable for comment.

Some drivers reportedly got into heated arguments with airport staff at the arrival pickup lane on Monday after BIAL began collecting entry fees without any prior notice.

Protesting the move, cab drivers also planned to stage a protest from Begur Road to the arrival pickup point on May 22, demanding a rollback.

According to a BIAL source, stay and overstay charges were for vehicles accessing the arrival pickup lanes at Terminal 1 and 2.

Commercial vehicles (yellow board) that include cabs, were required to pay Rs 150 as entry fee for up to 7 minutes. Beyond 7 minutes, a fee of Rs 300 would be applicable. Private vehicles (whiteboard) were required to pay a fee of Rs 150 for above 7 minutes up to 14 minutes.

Buses had entry fee charges of Rs 600, while tempo travelers would have to fork out Rs 300. Buses and tempo travelers are allowed to enter through Lane 3 (Terminal 1).

Fairfax India Holdings Corp, led by Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa, holds a 64 percent stake in Bengaluru Airport. Siemens has a 10 percent stake, and the Airports Authority of India and the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation each hold a 13 percent stake.