Endless woes for passengers at airport

NAGPUR: Mihan India Limited (MIL) officials looking after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport claim to have sorted out most of passenger complaints, but passengers and visitors say the situation is otherwise.
TOI has repeatedly highlighted the suffering of passengers at the city airport.
A vigilant passenger Avinash Prabhune who had raised issue of the parking contactor charging Rs 30 from every vehicle, said that he had officially filed a complaint in this regard with MIL senior airport director, V K Yadava, who had assured to take immediate steps."However, months have passed but nothing has changed," Prabhune said.
"I have visited most airports in the country, including Mumbai and Delhi, but have never seen such an arrangement of parking anywhere. Despite assurances by top airport authorities, things have not been changed for the passengers and it confirms the adamant attitude of the executing officials at airport or the contractor's dominance over the authorities that is restricting them to take any actions," he added.
Neelam Bowade, former chairperson of VIA's women's wing and a frequent flyer, said that due to increased air traffic, many flights get delayed or cancelled.
"I never officially complained about it to authorities, but verbally told them many times to at least have enough decent toilets, day-rooms and dining facility to make the waiting period bearable for passengers," she said, adding that The road from Hotel Pride to the airport has become the favourite haunt for young couples "Despite repeated complaints, nothing was done in this regard", Bowade added.
Businessman and frequent flyer Tejinder Singh Renu raised another issue. He said though he had not officially complained this to authorities but he found that the parking contractor often overcharges visitors.
"Last month, I flew to Mumbai and parked my car at 7.30am and returned the same evening by an Air India flight, which was slightly delayed," Renu said.
He had parked his car at the airport for about 13 hours. "While rules say that the charges for parking above 12 hours and below 24 hours are Rs 135, the attendant asked me for Rs 210. It was only after a lengthy argument that the attendant relented," Renu said.
He said that the parking contractor and his men attempt to cheat people probably thinking that visitors in a hurry would shell out the money. "Visitors should be aware of the charges and should never pay more," Renu added.