Shantinagara BMTC Airport bus waiting room, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Flaking paint, damp-stained walls and poorly lit interiors have left the air-conditioned airport bus lounge at the Shantinagara Traffic and Transit Management Centre (TTMC) in a state of neglect, raising concerns about the upkeep of a facility meant to provide airport bus passengers with a comfortable and safe waiting area.
During a visit by The Hindu, the lounge was found with its lights switched off, while the waiting area and washrooms showed visible signs of poor maintenance. Peeling paint, damp patches on the walls and an overall lack of upkeep made the facility appear uninviting despite being designated as a premium waiting space for commuters using BMTC’s Vayu Vajra airport bus services.
Passengers expressed disappointment over the condition of the lounge. Lavanya B.S., a commuter waiting for an airport bus, said that the state of the facility discouraged its use. “The lounge didn’t feel safe or well-maintained. As a woman, I wouldn’t feel comfortable waiting there alone and would rather wait outside than use the facility,” she said.
Another commuter, Anil Kumar, who was travelling to Delhi, had arrived at the Shantinagara TTMC to board a Vayu Vajra bus to Kempegowda International Airport. “My bus was due to arrive in about 15 minutes, so I thought I would use the washroom before boarding. But when I entered the lounge, I found the toilet locked, and the entire place was in a terrible condition. It was disgusting. I had no choice but to leave without using the washroom,” he said.
Questioning the quality of the facility, Mr. Kumar added, “If this is how BMTC maintains a premium airport bus lounge, why are passengers charged so much for airport travel? The condition of the lounge is unacceptable and leaves a very poor impression.”
In contrast, the air-conditioned airport bus lounge at the Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) was found to be in relatively better condition. Although the air-conditioning system was not functioning during the visit, making the lounge warm, the waiting area and washrooms appeared to be cleaned and maintained regularly, allowing passengers to use the facility comfortably while waiting for their buses.
The contrasting conditions of the two airport bus lounges have raised questions over the consistency of maintenance standards across BMTC’s passenger facilities, particularly at major transit hubs serving airport commuters. Responding to the concerns, BMTC official sources said that the corporation was aware of the condition of the Shantinagara lounge and clarified that the issue was not reflective of BMTC’s overall maintenance practices but was specific to the Shantinagara bus stand.
“The deteriorating condition stemmed from inadequate upkeep by the Shantinagara TTMC manager rather than any difference in BMTC’s maintenance policy. Maintenance priorities remain uniform across all BMTC terminals,” the official added.
Published – August 23, 2026 02:30 pm IST
