BIAL extends free parking at Terminal 1 pick-up zones to 15 minutes to ease congestion
BENGALURU: Following widespread backlash, Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has extended the free parking duration at Terminal 1 arrival pick-up areas P3 and P4 from 10 minutes to 15 minutes. According to BIAL, the revised time limit is part of a broader effort to smooth kerbside operations and reduce congestion. Alongside the extended parking duration, the airport has strengthened last-mile connectivity between the terminal and pick-up zones. A fleet of shuttle services operating every seven minutes, along with six cars and 10 buggies, is now available to ferry passengers between Terminal 1 and P3 or P4. According to the revised time limits, vehicles can park free of charge for the first 15 minutes at both P3 and P4. For stays between 15 and 45 minutes, a fee of Rs 100 is applicable. Thereafter, vehicles are charged Rs 50 for every additional hour. For long-term parking, a full-day charge of Rs 600 applies, with Rs 350 for every additional day. BIAL also specified that the airport management is not responsible for any loss or damage to vehicles or their contents, regardless of cause. In cases where a parking ticket is lost, motorists are required to report the issue at the exit gate. Vehicles will be allowed to exit only after ownership verification, and a penalty of Rs 600, in addition to applicable parking charges, will be levied. Airport officials said the measures are designed to balance passenger convenience with traffic discipline, especially during peak hours. The BIAL earlier this month announced free entry for private cars into designated arrival pick-up zones at T1 and T2 under a new lane segregation system. Vehicles get eight minutes free; overstays attract Rs 150 to Rs 300, while those exceeding 18 minutes face towing and fines. The move was protested by drivers unions and led to a protest on December 16, which had at least 2,000 drivers gathering at the Sadahalli toll plaza demanding the immediate rollback as it caused passengers a lot of inconvenience. With widespread criticism from passengers of how they were forced to walk to the newly designated pickup spots and some calling it an obstacle course.
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