Aero Mall inauguration: Scindia gets first-hand experience of Pune traffic snarls

Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who was in the city to inaugurate Aero Mall at Pune International airport, got a first-hand experience of heavy traffic during evening hours on Friday.

“I experienced the diabolic condition of traffic in the city and during rush hours, it is difficult to manoeuvre through the congestion. The Aero Mall facility, which is spread over 4.5 lakh square feet has a 3 lakh square feet area reserved for a parking lot and 1.5 lakh for a commercial area. 1,030 cars can be parked in this space so traffic congestion in this area will be reduced. For a city with heavy traffic flow, a multi-level parking facility is the need of an hour.,” Scindia said.

The minister confirmed that the new terminal building will be completed by May 2023 with an international cargo facility.

Pressed about the development of the Purandar airport issue, Scindia categorically commented, “The work is in progress.”

Bapat roots for rickshaws

City MP Girish Bapat urged Scindia to reconsider a decision not to allow auto-rickshaws on airport premises.

Bapat said that the proposal to have designated drop-off areas far from the terminal will be inconvenient for the passengers. Additionally, it diminishes prospective auto rickshaw customers as well.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once said that even the most ordinary people will be able to fly in airplanes, but at Pune airport, the auto rickshaws have been neglected. I urge minister Scindia to look into the issue,” Bapat said.

As per airport authorities, having an auto-rickshaw stand on the premises is not in their policy.

“The Aero mall has asked autorickshaw drivers to pay ₹3 lakh per month to get space for 50 auto rickshaws. How will it be possible for us to pay such heavy rent? MP Bapat is supporting our cause, and we have also written a letter to aviation minister Scindia,” Vinod Langote, an auto-rickshaw driver who was present at the inauguration, said.

The auto-rickshaw stand was removed from the airport in August 2021.

“Any decision on the auto-rickshaw stand will be taken only after the discussion with higher authorities,” said an official from Pune International Airport on the request of anonymity.