The alternative road to the Kempegowda International Airport, opened to decongest the existing Airport Road during the Aero India 2017 airshow, will now remain open only till 6 pm, according to the city traffic police.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) had insisted that the road be closed immediately after the airshow on Sunday. Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, R Hithendra had agreed to do so. However, due to public demand, it was decided that traffic would be allowed but only during the day time.
The untarred stretch of the road from the airport’s perimeter wall till the BIAL main road leading to the terminal has no lighting. Police said this is why night time commute on the road has been blocked. BIAL officials had told DH that the process of asphalting and installing streetlights and signages would take more than six months.
According to the police, BIAL was reluctant to keep the road open even during the day time. However, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Planning, R A Kasim said the road is wide enough for vehicular movement even if only half the width is used. Traffic could be allowed on one side of the road while upgrading work is undertaken on the other side, he felt.
During the airshow and on Monday, about 100-150 cabs and private vehicles had taken the route. Kasim said vehicles could avoid the bottlenecks at Hebbal flyover by taking this road and reach the airport in 45 minutes from KR Puram side. Many commuters have taken to social media to demand that the alternative road be kept open and upgrading work be completed at the earliest.