Bengaluru: Karnataka taxi and auto driver unions staged a large protest on Tuesday morning against the newly enforced pick-up and parking restrictions for cab drivers at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The demonstration took place near the Sadahalli toll plaza, close to the airport, and led to traffic congestion in the area for several hours.

Around 400 cab and auto drivers from multiple unions, including Karnataka Chalakara Okkuta, Peace Auto Union and the Bruhat Bengaluru Auto and Taxi Drivers Union, gathered at the toll plaza at about 9 am. The protesters blocked traffic lanes while demanding that Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) withdraw or revise the new pick-up rules, which they claim were introduced without adequate consultation with driver associations.

What the new airport rules say

Bengaluru airport authorities recently enforced revised parking and pick-up regulations aimed at easing congestion near terminals and improving passenger movement. Under the new system, private vehicles are allowed eight minutes of free stay at the terminal curbside. Vehicles staying between eight and 13 minutes are charged ₹150, while those staying between 13 and 18 minutes are charged ₹300. Any vehicle exceeding an 18-minute stay is liable to be towed to the nearest police station, with additional fines imposed.

For commercial vehicles, including app-based cabs and taxis, the rules are different. Cab drivers are required to wait in designated parking zones instead of near terminal entrances. They are provided 10 minutes of complimentary parking. Beyond that, drivers must pay ₹100 for every half-hour slot and ₹50 for every additional hour thereafter.

BIAL has stated that the revised rules are meant to discourage prolonged curbside parking, improve traffic flow and enhance passenger safety at the busy airport.

Drivers say rules are impractical

Bengaluru cab unions argue that the time limits and charges are unrealistic given the operational realities of airport pick-ups. According to drivers, flight delays, passenger luggage issues and slow terminal exits often make it impossible to complete pick-ups within the allotted 10 minutes.

“These rules have been brought in without consulting us,” said G Narayanaswamy, president of Karnataka Chalakara Okkuta. “The airport authorities know very well that 10 minutes is not sufficient. Passengers take time to come out, especially elderly people or families with children. Either the waiting time has to be increased or these rules should be withdrawn.”

Drivers also expressed concern that frequent fines and towing threats would severely affect their daily earnings. Many cab drivers depend heavily on airport trips, which usually involve long waiting times but offer relatively higher fares.

Traffic disruption near Sadahalli toll plaza

The protest caused significant traffic congestion near the Sadahalli toll plaza, a key access point to the airport. Vehicles heading towards the airport and those coming into the city experienced delays, prompting police to divert traffic and manage the situation on the ground.

Bengaluru traffic police officials were deployed to ensure that the protest did not escalate further. While no untoward incidents were reported, commuters expressed inconvenience due to the slowdown during peak morning hours.

Talks with police and deadline set

Following the protest, union leaders said they held discussions with senior police officials to seek a resolution. Narayanaswamy told reporters that they had spoken to Joint Commissioner of Police (East) Ramesh Banoth, who assured them that efforts would be made to resolve the issue within four days.

“We’ve been told that the matter will be looked into and that discussions will be held with the airport authorities,” Narayanaswamy said. “If nothing changes within four days, we will stage a bigger protest at Terminal 1 of the airport.”

Union leaders said they prefer dialogue but will intensify protests if their demands are ignored.

Political support for drivers

The protesting unions have received support from Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. According to union representatives, the minister has written to BIAL requesting that the new parking fees and pick-up rules be withdrawn or reconsidered.

Drivers believe political intervention is necessary, as airport-related policies directly impact thousands of livelihoods in Bengaluru. Karnataka has one of the highest numbers of app-based cab drivers in the country, many of whom rely on airport trips as a steady source of income.

Wider concerns over airport access

Bengaluru airport has previously faced criticism over access charges, parking fees and transport-related policies. While authorities maintain that such measures are essential to manage growing passenger traffic—KIA handles several crore passengers annually—drivers and commuters argue that the burden often falls disproportionately on service providers and passengers.

Experts note that better consultation with stakeholders, including cab unions and transport operators, could help avoid such conflicts and ensure smoother implementation of new rules.

Conclusion

The protest by Bengaluru cab drivers highlights growing tensions between airport authorities and transport workers over operational policies at Kempegowda International Airport. While BIAL maintains that the new rules are necessary for efficient traffic management, driver unions insist that the regulations are impractical and financially burdensome. With a four-day window now set for talks and possible revisions, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the issue is resolved through dialogue or escalates into larger protests at the airport terminals.