Chandigarh: A month later, international airport still awaits key facilities

Passengers and visitors complained that not much has changed in the past month. They said much more work is needed to make the airport “truly international.”

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While the airport authorities are yet to install Wi-fi services at the airport, the need for cheaper cabs at the terminal is what people feel the airport administration should focus on first.

“Outside the arrival zone, there are only two counters of private cab operators, which are too costly,” said Simranjeet Singh, a Mohali resident.”At the previous airport, there was a taxi union counter from where you get cabs at cheaper rates, but here there is no such counter.”

Also, the non-availability of seating facilities outside the arrival zone is inconveniencing the visitors. “I have been standing for one hour. The only option is to get a ticket for Rs 30 and wait at the visitors’ area,” said Simranjeet.

The limited options for entry to the airport is another issue.

On Wednesday, Chandigarh Newsline also found that no ATM has been installed on the airport premises. “An international airport without an ATM machine. This is surprising,” said a passenger who came from Bengaluru.

Tarique Masoodi, a Chandigarh resident who recently travelled to Delhi from the new terminal, said, “While it looks an impressive piece of modern infrastructure, one is disappointed with the support facilities… the airport lacks several things. There is only one eating outlet, that too near the security entry gates inside,” he said.

“We expect more food options,” said Ashish Kumar from Ropar. “At Delhi airport, there are so many options, but here there are very few.”

However, Sunil Dutt, chief executive officer of Chandigarh International Airport, said there “is a drastic change in the airport during the past month.” He added, “The Wi-fi installation will take time and ATM will be installed soon,” he said. “We have plans for next 12 months for the upgrade and we will work on it.”