BENGALURU: With the biennial Aero India set to kick off on Tuesday next, motorists can expect huge traffic snarls on Airport Road with over four lakh people expected to visit the air show. On the inaugural day on February 14, VIP movement will only add to the chaos.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will inaugurate the event while other Union and state cabinet ministers will be present. Delegates from 65 countries will be participating in the air show.
Traffic jams can be expected around Raj Bhavan Road, Windsor Manor junction, Mekhri Circle, Jayamahal Road, Hebbal flyover, Esteem mall, Kogilu Cross and other places. The central business district too will be affected.
Additional Commissioner of Police (traffic) R Hithendra said about 1,200 traffic police personnel including traffic wardens will be deployed to manage traffic on all the days of the show.
Traffic police said movement of public vehicles, expect BMTC buses, has been barred towards international airport between Hebbal and MVIT. They have also requested those headed the airport to leave early.
Those heading to the airport can avoid the traffic mess by heading to the south entrance of the airport at Mylanahalli near Begur. Special Deputy Commissioner Archana M S said, “Fifteen acres of land for connectivity to KIA from Begur side has already been handed over to Public Works Department (PWD).”
Traffic police officials said, “If PWD had completed the road works, we could have used that route for air show delegates.” The road from Mylanahalli, which can be approached from Nagawara and other places along Outer Ring Road will help airport passengers beat the traffic to a great extent, they added.
PWD officials said they are working to make a kachcha road ready as early as Sunday evening or Monday morning for the benefit of airport-bound travellers.