Pune : The anticipation surrounding the opening of Pune Airport’s new terminal in the coming weeks is giving rise to a blend of excitement and concerns among passengers. While the state-of-the-art facility promises to elevate the airport experience to international standards and ease crowd congestion, recent decisions by airport authorities to withhold ‘pickup’ permissions for taxis are causing inconvenience for travelers.
The new terminal, designed with three gates for both arrivals and departures, is a welcome upgrade aimed at addressing crowding issues experienced at the older facility. However, the decision to restrict taxi ‘pickup’ has emerged as a challenge for passengers seeking convenient transportation from the Aeromall to their final destinations.
In contrast to private vehicles, which are permitted for both ‘drop and pickup,’ the denial of ‘pickup’ permissions for taxis signifies a departure from the established system.
In the existing terminal, a pedestrian bridge seamlessly connects to the Aeromall, equipped with escalators and elevators for passenger convenience. However, logistical complexities in constructing a similar bridge between the new terminal and the Aeromall have led to this inconvenience.
Passengers arriving at the new terminal will now find themselves transporting their luggage to the mall, introducing an element of inconvenience for those expecting seamless transportation options at the airport. Director Santosh Dhoke clarified that allowing taxi ‘pickup’ would risk overcrowding in the terminal premises, justifying the decision to deny permission. Meanwhile, private vehicles remain unaffected by these restrictions.
Critics argue that these limitations should have been anticipated during the planning phase of the new terminal. Civil aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar expressed concern over the inconvenience posed to travelers and speculated that future developments, such as the arrival of the metro, might exacerbate challenges in the airport area.
