Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) is rolling out new measures aimed at streamlining passenger pick-ups at the arrival terminals. Effective December 8, 2025, these changes seek to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance the overall convenience for both passengers and drivers.
The airport, which serves approximately 130,000 passengers daily and manages a daily traffic of roughly 100,000 vehicles, has been facing increasing strain on its landside facilities, particularly the kerbside areas in front of the terminals. The new measures come as a response to this growing pressure.
A key component of the new system is lane segregation, designed to enforce discipline and minimize unauthorized parking and prolonged waiting in the pick-up zones. Under this system, private cars (white-board vehicles) will be granted free access to the designated pick-up zones at Terminals 1 and 2 for a period of eight minutes. This eight-minute window is intended to be significantly higher than international standards.
However, overstaying beyond the allotted eight minutes will incur charges. A fee of ₹150 will be levied for overstays between 8 and 13 minutes, and ₹300 for overstays between 13 and 18 minutes. Vehicles remaining in the pick-up zone for longer than 18 minutes will be towed to the nearest police station, and the owners will be subject to applicable fines and towing charges.
Commercial vehicles, including yellow-board taxis and electric cabs, will be required to wait for passengers in designated parking zones only. To facilitate a seamless pick-up experience for these vehicles, the first 10 minutes of parking will be complimentary. Commercial vehicles serving Terminal 1 will be directed to the P4 and P3 parking zones, while those serving Terminal 2 will be directed to the P2 parking zone.
Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline at pick-up zones, especially with the continuous rise in passenger traffic, particularly during peak travel seasons. He stated that these measures are not merely for enforcement but a way to protect travelers, ensure orderly movement, and strengthen trust in the system. Marar believes that when passengers and cab operators adhere to the designated processes, the pick-up experience becomes quicker, safer, and more convenient for everyone involved.
BIAL had initially planned to implement a similar "stay and overstay" system in May 2024, but it was suspended due to backlash from cab driver associations and passenger concerns. The current plan is a revised version of the initial system, with an increased free usage window and more strictly segregated lanes. The implementation of these new measures began on December 11 at Terminal 2 and will extend to Terminal 1 on December 13.
