Civil Aviation Minister inspects Chennai Airport

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju, accompanied by Minister of State for Civil Aviation G.M. Siddeshwara, inspected the key infrastructural facilities of the Chennai Airport on Saturday.

The Minister wanted to personally visit the Chennai Airport based on the various complaints received by him through media and stakeholders, regarding deficiencies in development of infrastructure as well as deficiency in maintenance standards of Chennai Airport.

As part of the reviewing process, he also went around all the locations of the Airport such as Domestic Departure and Arrival Halls, walked through the city side entire terminal corridor, inspected the new international departure, existing terminal, Immigration and Customs areas, air side corridor etc.

He also visited Air Cargo Complex and Fire Station.

On extensive survey of the area and detailed inspection of the facilities, the Minister said that Airports Authority of India (AAI) has fairly attended to the deficiencies notified during the surprise visit carried out by the Ministry officials wherein there is still ample scope for further improvement in cleanliness of Terminals, maintenance of wash rooms and over all interior ambience, which should be done on sustained basis to improve the customers perception.

The Minister also remarked that though the improvement is visible, he has directed AAI officials to look into the infrastructural issues where AAI can immediately take required action to ease the congestion in the Security Hold area of Domestic and security check points.

He also gave suggestions for improvement of passenger sitting areas by realigning certain concessionaire's kiosks so that the passenger flow area in the passages can be wider for comfort of movement and spacious feel.

The Minister advised AAI that infrastructural improvements of any sort which can benefit travelling passengers should be taken up immediately as Chennai Airport is one of the flagship Airports of AAI and main gateway Airport to South India.

He also pointed out that since Chennai Airport lacks the green posture, AAI should engage a professional Horticultural consultant to give a facelift for development of greenery on air side of Terminal Buildings and in the vertical garden area.