Over the past fortnight, Metro did a series of stories highlighting some of the problems that confront fliers at the Kolkata airport. At the end of the series, this newspaper draws up a wishlist on the basis of conversations with many passengers over the past few weeks.
Cleaner washrooms
Dirty washrooms are one of the biggest problems at the airport. Many passengers have complained about the lack of cleanliness and stench. This newspaper has reported how some of the contractual workers, hired by the agency responsible for cleaning the washrooms and are backed by unions, shirk their responsibilities.
“It will be good if the washrooms are dry, clean and without stench, like the ones in Mumbai, Delhi and most other places. There should be cleaning staff at the washrooms even at night,” said a frequent flier.
Shorter queues
Long queues for non-DigiYatra passengers at the entrance to the departure area of the terminal’s domestic section cause inconvenience to passengers. Also, passengers have complained about long queues at the security checkpoints. Many alleged that they have to wait for close to an hour in queues before reaching the boarding gate.
“The entry points should be better managed and there should be more gates for non-DigiYatra passengers. Also, the security checkpoints should be better supervised and more counters need to be opened,” said one passenger.
Car discipline
VIP vehicles — fitted with beacons and boards of government agencies —remaining parked for long along the kerb, in front of the terminal on the arrival area, are among the worst problems faced by fliers. These vehicles brazenly flout the no-parking rules.
“We face so much inconvenience because of the VIP cars that block the kerbside. The police should ask these vehicles to get parked in the designated areas and come in front of the terminal just before the passengers come out,” said a frequent flier.
Chaos control
Because of poor management of traffic, often there is chaos in the lanes in front of the terminal building on the arrival level. Buses stop to pick up passengers and commercial vehicles occupy lanes meant for private cars. Trolleys remain scattered in the lanes, blocking vehicles.
“We want to see lanes where vehicles behind other cars don’t have to honk and struggle to move. The lanes should be better managed and commercial vehicles and buses forced to use their designated lanes,” said one passenger.
Better Wi-Fi
Now, the airport’s Wi-Fi facility can be accessed if the passenger carries a phone with an Indian SIM. The one-time password that the Wi-Fi service provider sends to access the service can only be received if the passenger uses an Indian SIM.
“There are many passengers who do not have India SIM cards. They cannot make phone calls, book app cabs, make online payments or download documents using the Wi-Fi. This airport needs a Wi-Fi network for which no OTP is needed,” said a passenger.
More F&B
One of the major complaints at the airport is lack of enough food and beverage and retail counters.
“There is hardly anything to do at the airport. One cannot spend more than 30 minutes at the airport,” said the group COO of a private company and a frequent flier. “Also, some of the food counters charge more compared with other airports,” he said.
Other passengers, too, said they want more F&B and shopping options.
Better aesthetics
The airport’s integrated terminal is only 10 years old but it already looks shabby, said many passengers.
“The white lights, murals, everything look dull. The floors look shabby, particularly those of the washrooms,” said one passenger.
Luggage delay
Another common complaint from passengers is the long wait for checked-in baggage at the conveyor belts. Often, passengers have to wait for 40 minutes to get the luggage.
“I wish the airport authorities looked into the causes of the delay and addressed those. We should get luggage in 15 to 20 minutes. That’s the usual wait time in other airports, including the busier ones,” said a passenger.
Tout-free airport
Taxi touts are a menace at the Kolkata airport. Metro has reported how touts who are arrested get back to business after securing bail.
“The police should be more active in front of the terminal building so that touts cannot approach passengers,” said a frequent flier.