VIP Visits Cause Chaos at Pune's AeroMall

Pune: Flyers and AeroMall authorities alike have raised serious concerns over frequent VIP and VVIP visits to the facility, resulting in both exit gates being blocked often for over half an hour, resulting in chaos.AeroMall vice-president YS Rajput told TOI that exit flow is frequently disrupted and they plan to meet senior police officers on the matter soon for a solution."There are two exits from the AeroMall for private vehicles, cabs and autorickshaws. The first goes towards Airport Road (Symbiosis College) and the second towards Vishrantwadi via Weikfield Chowk. Whenever there is VIP movement at the airport, both exits are blocked until the VIP is out of the area.As a result, other vehicles cannot get outside, resulting in a traffic problem," said Rajput.You Can Also Check:Pune AQI|Weather in Pune|Gold Rate Today in Pune|Silver Rate Today in Pune"Passengers keep arriving as flights land and they go to the cab pickup point. The exits rapidly get choked. When the blocks are lifted, all vehicles try to get out in one go, and for at least an hour, all roads around are completely jammed," added Rajput, further saying, "VIP movements mostly take place via the New Airport Road (Weikfield Chowk stretch).If the police and the administration can work out something and get the other exit towards Airport Road (Symbiosis College Road) open for traffic, the problem could be resolved somewhat."Flyers are also seeking improvements to the situation. Shailesh Kumawat, who came to Pune from Bengaluru earlier this month, said he spent almost 45 minutes at the AeroMall cab pickup point. "The situation was scary, with so much honking and noise.Upon asking, I was told that roads were blocked due to VIP movement. There need to be more roads to get in and out of Pune airport. It cannot be such a pain," he said.Adreesh Kumar, who lives in Delhi and often comes to Pune for business, agreed. "Airports like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata have a simple entry and exit process. Roads leading to these airports are also very good. Only Pune has this issue. Last year, a friend of mine walked from Weikfield Chowk to the airport with his luggage as the roundabout was congested.People are always at risk of missing flights," he said.In Oct, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol had said the defence authorities have given permission to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to broaden two roads leading to the airport. "The civic body can now work towards widening these routes, thereby easing the traffic situation," Mohol had said.At the time, PMC road department head Aniruddha Pawaskar had said, "Defence authorities have told us this orally many times before.It has to be official and in writing. Whether work permission has been given or not needs to be checked."Calls by TOI to get an updated comment from PMC were unanswered on Friday.Auto drivers create complicationRajput also said unauthorised autorickshaw drivers on airport premises are creating problems. "They park their vehicles anywhere and walk to the arrival area, cajoling arriving flyers to come with them rather than moving to the AeroMall. They spread misinformation that getting transportation from the AeroMall is very difficult and threaten our staff when they try to stop them. Something needs to be done jointly.The airport cannot be allowed to turn into a bus stand," he said.