In what could be a big relief, air passengers can board a cab opposite the T1 domestic terminal of the Chennai airport from March. This used to be the cab pick-up point before being shifted to the multi-level car parking lot six months ago.
After the backlash from passengers, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has planned to add a second pick-up point.
Hence, from March, passengers may board a cab opposite the T1 terminal or from the west wing of the multi-level parking lot.
Officials of the AAI said the decision was made at a high-level meeting held recently to review the ongoing works at the airport. “We are creating a plaza opposite the T1 terminal with landscaping, seating and walkway [facilities]. The work will be completed next month. After that, cab pick-ups can be done from this location [as well],” an official said.
Till early July last year, air passengers could walk to the cab pick-up point (near the flagpole) opposite the T1 terminal. However, the AAI changed the arrangement subsequently, as a result of which people had to head to the second floor in the west wing of multi-level car parking to board a cab. Passengers have been fuming over this move as it caused “tremendous difficulty”. It resulted in passengers carrying heavy baggage and walking to the multi-level car parking, before standing in a queue to take a lift to the second floor to board a cab.
Access pathway
Ravi Meenakshisundaram, an advocate and a frequent flyer, said though it was a good move to have a cab pick-up point opposite the T1 terminal, it was important to ensure an obstacle-free access pathway to the site. “The main issue is that there is no dedicated pathway [to the site] owing to construction works that are going on. Passengers should not be forced to drag their baggage and lift it every now and then before they can board a cab,” he said.
Published – February 01, 2025 01:19 am IST