New Delhi:
The snazzy T3 terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is considered a pride of Delhi. But there is nothing to be proud of about what MiD DAY found there. We discovered that an air-conditioned bay near the terminal, which connects Delhi Airport Metro Express line to Indira Gandhi International Airport, is being used by people as place to rest. As the mercury continues to rise in the Capital with every passing day, more and more Delhiites are using the area even to take a nap.
So, passengers sleeping with their luggage in the bay has now become a common sight. For entering the visitor's lounge one has to pay Rs 80, so those who are coming to receive their relatives have started using this bay as waiting room. This MiD DAY reporter caught several people sleeping in the area on camera.
People using this bay have started using it for long hours while their plane is delayed. "What is the harm in using this place to rest? This is so comfortable; we have an air-conditioned ambience here and we don't even have to pay any money to experience it," said a Dwarka resident who had come to the airport receive his daughter.
But there were some commuters who felt this could also lead to security breach. "This gives the wrong impression to people who are coming to Delhi for the first time. Just after coming out of the swank T3 terminal or the Metro Express line, you get to see people lying and resting on the floor. I also think this could lead to security breach," said Namit Vashisth, a Metro user.
Similar was the view of a US citizen who is in India for a week. "I had heard India is very poor and I got the glimpse of it as soon I came out of the airport. I have also clicked a picture and posted it on Facebook," said Jeanny Chen.
Authorities are busy passing the buck. "Well there is no hard and fast rule about this; but looking at the security of the airport we should not promote this. The area is accessible to all and it connects airport with the metro but it is not meant to sleep. The area come under Metro is it's their responsibility to acknowledge the issue," said a senior official with Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).
Even the management of Airport Express line seemed indifferent to the issue. "As you put the token and move out of the metro, the area belongs to DIAL and we have no role after that. If someone is sleeping or resting in that premises then DIAL should do something about it. We maintain proper security in our periphery," said spokesperson of Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Limited.
Passengers flying out of IGI airport will now have the option of driving up to the terminal in their private vehicles and leaving them in Terminal-3's multilevel car parking for as long as they are out of town. Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) is offering the facility of park and fly to passengers and will charge them 45% less than normal rates. Passengers will pay Rs 500 for the first day, Rs 400 for the second day, and Rs 300 for every additional day that the vehicle is parked.
"With 'Park N Fly', passengers can have the convenience of parking their cars for an extended number of days when they fly out of T3. The MLCP at T3 offers ample space, safety, efficient and courteous staff and, most importantly, the convenience of travelling in your own car when you are back from your trip," said a DIAL spokesperson. The facility is available at the premium parking area on the ground level with other facilities like dedicated customer service desk, secured and well-guarded parking space with CCTV cameras and a dedicated firefighting system.
In a relief to people flying out of the Capital, the Delhi High Court Wednesday stayed the collection of airport development fees (ADF) at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, saying that the final decision in the matter will be taken by the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). The order came after the court heard two petitions filed by Resources for Aviation Redressal Association and Consumer Online Foundation, which challenged ADF collected from passengers without providing them any extra facilities at the IGI.
"All airlines have been advised not to collect ADF of Rs.200 per departing domestic passenger and Rs.1,300 per departing international passenger at IGI airport, New Delhi, until further communication," said the order given by a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Meanwhile, the court dismissed the petitions, stating that the AERA was the apt body to look into the matter. The court further directed the petitioners to approach the aviation tribunal within a week to file their appeal, along with an application for stay. The bench further directed AERA to dispose of such matters within two weeks.