Taxi drivers and owners welcome Hosur airport plan, cite benefits for south-east Bengaluru

Taxi drivers and owners in Bengaluru have given their thumbs up to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to establish an airport in Hosur, amidst ongoing discussions about its pros and cons to the city.

Taxi drivers and owners in Bengaluru have given their thumbs up to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to establish an airport in Hosur, amidst ongoing discussions about its pros and cons to the city.

The Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association (KSTOA), along with other taxi drivers and owners’ unions, welcomed the initiative, noting that it will benefit cab drivers and residents of eastern and southern Bengaluru, who currently endure over two hours of travel to reach Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently unveiled plans during the Legislative Assembly session to establish an international airport spanning 2,000 acres in Hosur, an industrial town located 40 kilometers from Bengaluru, capable of accommodating three crore passengers annually.

Speaking to The Hindu, Radhakrishna Holla, president of Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association, said: “There has been a significant demand over the past few years for a new airport in Bengaluru, as the current one is deemed to be insufficient in another few years. The new airport should ideally be situated in the southeastern part of Bengaluru to cater to the needs of residents in this area, particularly those employed in the IT and BT sectors. Now, the Tamil Nadu government’s announcement of the airport in Hosur will benefit the people of southeastern Bengaluru.”

Mr. Holla pointed out that residents of Electronics City and Bommasandra face difficulties reaching the airport, with significant inconvenience for both passengers and drivers alike. He emphasised that the Hosur airport plan would benefit people by enabling quicker access without the need to spend additional money on cab fares.

Despite Bengaluru cab drivers being happy about potential increased business and a hassle-free drive to Hosur from the southeastern part of the city, they anticipate needing permits to cross state borders, which they don’t foresee as a significant issue.

Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners’ Association, told The Hindu: “Cab aggregators may face challenges operating across state borders. However, regular cab drivers not affiliated with aggregators may find that obtaining an all-India permit online is now relatively straightforward, potentially mitigating any permit-related issues.”