Bengaluru: The traffic situation hit a new low on the final day of Aero India 2015. People coming in from the city and entering through Gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 had an easier go of it than the business invitees entering through Gate 5. They were asked to take a U-Turn and return to the other side of the road, which meant an extra 10 km ride for those in cars. The first underpass was cordoned off and only bikes could squeeze through. The rest were sent off to the next underpass, which took a good 20 minutes to reach.

Presumably, Gate 5 was positioned in such a way that it would be easier for people coming directly from Kempegowda International Airport, but considering the thousands entering from the city, the situation was nothing short of a nightmare. People using taxis were forced to abandon their vehicles at the gate and cover the 5 km-odd trip inside on foot. With very few cops and paramilitary officials around to show them the way, chaos ensued. Vehicles that managed to enter the gate were stuck in the line to the parking lot for an hour.

Business invitees did have the option of taking a shuttle from the parking lot, but with the chaos that ensued, organisers did away with the shuttles. As there were no pavements for the first few kilometres, pedestrians weaved their way through the waiting cars. “Like most others entering through Gate 5, we did the stretch from the main road on foot. It wasn’t fun, considering the heat! We actually had to make a pit stop on the way, sit down and rest and then continue,” said Aishwarya, who was at the show on Sunday. Shops and dhabas that lined the way did roaring business all through Sunday afternoon!

Those who came in post-lunch missed a good bit of the display, which happened between 3 pm and 5 pm this year. Adding to the chaos on the service lane and along NH 7 were large groups of people who came to watch the show from the sidelines, without the trouble of entering the venue. Families made a day of it by bringing picnic lunches. People also climbed up the walls that lined the main road, to get a better view of the skies, which didn’t help the traffic situation.

Traffic police were on overdrive, telling people what route to take and directing traffic all at the same time. Needless to say, visitors began making their exit by about 4 pm to avoid the nightmare that would, in all likelihood begin all over again for the trip back home.