Earlier this month, a resident from Hanumanthappa Layout set out for the airport at 2:30 am for an early flight. Despite leaving three hours in advance, he missed it. The culprit? The battered Hennur-Bagalur Road. Two sudden potholes damaged his car, bending the rim and causing a flat tyre. “There was no light and the hole was hidden at a sharp turn,” said Debashish Panda. “Two weeks ago, this road was fine.”

Once seen as a toll-free shortcut to Kempegowda International Airport, this stretch has turned into a dangerous, unreliable path. Residents say even light rain leaves the road submerged in nearly two feet of water, making potholes invisible and travel perilous. “I’d rather pay the toll and take the safer Hebbal route,” said Subramanian K.

Cab drivers agree. Many now avoid the road entirely. “We used to prefer this route, but now it damages our cars,” said cabbie Tausif Pasha. However, Hebbal is no longer smooth sailing either. Heavy traffic and toll queues stretch for over 15 minutes in the evenings.

Urban planners call for immediate alternatives. WRI India’s Srinivas Alavilli suggests starting frequent BMTC AC shuttles between Hebbal and the airport. Architect Naresh Narasimhan proposes using the Satellite Town Ring Road and building a 1.2 km suspension bridge near Esteem Mall. IISc professor Ashish Verma insists on investing in Metro and suburban rail instead of adding more roads.

Meanwhile, BMTC plans to reroute more buses via the quieter back gate of the airport through Hennur-Bagalur.