AAI may take over operation of the multi-level car parking facility at city airport for now
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is likely to take over the multi-level car parking facility at Chennai airport to address complaints about distant cab pick-up points and congestion at entry and exit areas.
The existing contractor who manages the Aero Hub (a huge shopping facility at the airport), car parking and cab pick-up points gave termination notice to the AAI some weeks ago. Since then, there have been several rounds of discussions in this regard, sources said.
'A final decision is expected from the Board next week on this issue,' a source said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the AAI has prepared a tender and will float bids shortly after the final decision from the board comes through. When the new contractor takes over, they need to operate two cab pick-up points, one closer to the T1 Terminal and the other in the multi-level car parking facility. However, as far as the Aero Hub is concerned, it is still not clear whether the AAI will take over or not and the decision lies with the board.
For many months, air passengers have been agitated over the shifting of cab pick-up point from T1 Domestic Terminal (near the National Flag point) to the second floor of a multi-level car parking facility.
With growing demand to restore the previous cab pick-up point, the AAI began mulling the possibility of an additional pick-up point. Following this, the contractor submitted the termination notice to the AAI, wanting to end the agreement over losses.
Ram Kumar, a frequent air passenger, said, 'It will be a big relief for passengers if they can take cabs from the old pick-up point. I found it so much more convenient as it didn't involve a very long walk or taking a lift to the Aero Hub. I'm hoping they make the second pick-up point available for air passengers at the earliest.'The heavily inundated Government Taluk Hospital in Vaniyambadi town near Tirupattur on Saturday.
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