Kempegowda International Airport's Rail Link Approval Comes Two Decades Too Late.

The recent 'final approval' for the Bengaluru suburban rail link to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is a significant development. However, this Rs 4,000 crore project highlights a major planning failure. The airport began operations in 2008, nearly two decades ago. This delay shows an enduring failure to align infrastructure with demand. Airport infrastructure planning must prioritize ground access. Reaching the airport today is often a nightmare for travelers. In some cases, the commute takes longer than the flight itself.

Planning Paralysis and Historical Delays

The idea for a new greenfield airport was first discussed in the early 1990s. After years of policy wrangling, it opened in May 2008. Despite this long gestation, the airport lacked seamless surface connectivity. A key example was the crucial trumpet interchange. With the opening date looming, the airport operator was forced to take over construction. This was done to avoid chaos on the inauguration day. The elevated corridor, now a main access route, opened six years later in 2014. The alternative road through Hennur still awaits a long-overdue upgrade.

The new KSR Bengaluru rail line is expected to offer much-needed relief. It will integrate other modes of transport for commuters. That such a basic, affordable BLR airport mass transit link is approved only now speaks volumes. It points to a deep-seated planning paralysis in the city.

The Cost of Procrastination

Another symbol of infrastructure delay is the Blue Line metro to the airport. It is slowly moving forward amid repeated deadline extensions. This Blue Line metro delay has become a symbol of infrastructure procrastination. Ideally, this line should have been commissioned with the airport itself. Its current construction along the Outer Ring Road has narrowed carriageways. This has aggravated traffic congestion for daily commuters. This imposes daily costs in the name of future relief. Major aviation infrastructure cannot be conceived in isolation.

A Cautionary Tale for Future Projects

The lesson is clear for major aviation infrastructure projects. They cannot be conceived in isolation from transport networks. Expressways and rail links must be planned and executed in parallel. They should not be added as a mere afterthought.

As Karnataka plans a second international airport, the experience at Devanahalli must serve as a cautionary tale. Multimodal transport integration—both road and rail—must be core infrastructure. This requires synchronised timelines and unified planning. Clear accountability is also essential for success. The state must avoid another era of post-inauguration improvisation. The city deserves a gateway that is both accessible and ambitious. Resolving the Kempegowda International Airport connectivity issue is vital for regional aviation growth.

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