Informed sources disclosed to that the ‘no-show’ rate (failure of passengers to turn up in time) at the airport has considerably gone up during the past few months, much to the annoyance of the airlines and passengers. This, they said, is primarily because of the “stringent security set-up” and “inadequate facilities” in and outside the airport.
“The trouble for the passengers begins at the main-gate of the airport at Humhama where the vehicles they travel in are lined up for security check. The cars are allowed inside the gate one by one, making it difficult for passengers to catch their flights in time. Though another gate exists near the spot, it is hardly thrown open for the convenience of passengers,” said an airline official, insisting not to be named. “The problem is compounded by the VIPs and security officials who are given first priority at the drop-gate. Ideally there should have been a separate lane and security gate for VIP movement, which is not the case. It sometimes takes more than an hour to cross the Humhama point.”
When the passengers reach the airport, it marks the beginning of fresh trouble for them. For over 15 airlines, which operate to and from airport daily, the security establishment has just kept three security gates near the entrance of the terminal building and the same number inside the building.
200 to 300 passengers are lined up in a queue for at least 30 to 40 minutes before they are allowed to proceed towards the airstrip for boarding.
This, according to the observers, troubles the elderly passengers, including the patients who are unable to stand in a queue for long. Apart from local passengers, even the tourists are seen fuming over the inconvenience. “We never expected that boarding a flight at the Srinagar airport would be so troublesome,” said Ajit Kumar, a flyer from Mumbai. “This congestion and security trouble is unique to this airport. It takes more than an hour to reach the Srinagar airport from the main drop-gate. This kind of nuisance is not seen anywhere else.”
According to officials, at least there should have been six security gates near the entrance and six inside the building to cater to the heavy rush of passengers, particularly during the peak season “This could help save a lot of time, especially when the Indian Air Force has asked all the airlines to ensure that they operate within six hours,” an airport official said. “For flight baggage also, the airlines should have separate X-ray machines to lessen the rush.”
Sources said it is important that the AAI uses international terminal for domestic departures to ease congestion at the airport. “On the other hand police has an important role to play. Police is citing shortage of manpower to open up more security gates. But that is no justification. They have to deploy adequate manpower to ease the sufferings of passengers,” they said. “Otherwise the congestion won’t end. There is a lot of hue and cry over boosting tourism, but this congestion is giving a very bad impression to the visitors.
And that is detrimental for giving fillip to tourism. The flyers pay Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 for their convenience, but here they are treated like cattle which is not the case with any airport outside the state.”
Sources said the Srinagar-based AAI authorities recently raised the issue with the Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khuda, seeking more manpower and security gates for the airport. “The police chief promised to address the issue. But so far nothing substantial has been done,” they said, urging the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene.
(Greater Kashmir)
