Had heard a lot about the steady improvements of airports in India. After being impressed by the Mumbai Domestic Terminal, I expected the same for the Bengaluru Airport as well. And it did not disappoint.
Spacious, airy terminals, self-check in counters, uncomplicated design for departure gates and clear announcements. On the outside too, was a revelation with pretty landscaping, organized cab areas and bus lanes. BMTC operates air-conditioned Volvo buses into the city and we hopped onto one of them
to make our way along the six-lane highway to the city-center. One of the major complaints has been the lack of alternative means of transport. Being the IT hub, the expansion and opening of a new airport was done in order to facilitate more passengers due to the increasing business and it didn’t make any sense being stuck in traffic for many hours to reach your meeting place. A high-speed rail link ideally should have been built simultaneously along with the airport. It is being done now and remains to be seen how quickly it can be completed.
Anyway it is easy to be critical. But we have to give credit where it is due. Because airports in India sucked big time and the posters of "Incredible India" plastered on seedy walls never alleviated the discomfort that any tourist was going through. All in all, it was pretty good and this was just phase 1. With a 4000 acre area to play with, I think this airport can go places.
