₹20 Samosa, ₹10 Chai at Pune Airport Go Viral; Video Credits Raghav Chadha, Parineeti Chopra Responds
₹20 Samosa, ₹10 Chai at Pune Airport Go Viral; Video Credits Raghav Chadha, Parineeti Chopra Responds
Grabbing a quick bite at an airport usually means paying far more than usual for even the simplest snack. For years, passengers have accepted high prices for tea, water, and light eats as part of air travel. But a recent viral video from Pune International Airport is changing that narrative, putting the spotlight on the government-backed Udaan Yatri Cafe.
The video was shared by IIT Bombay alumnus Piyush Tripathi, who was travelling with his wife. While walking through the terminal, he casually asked her, “Samosa khaogi airport par?” (Will you have a samosa at the airport?). After she agreed, he said, “Aao samosa khate,” (Come, let’s eat samosa) and led her towards the Udaan Yatri Cafe inside the airport.
At the outlet, the couple purchased two samosas and two cups of tea at prices that surprised many viewers — Rs 20 per samosa and Rs 10 for chai. Keeping the conversation playful, he then asked her, “Kiski wajah se hua hai ye?” (Because of whom has this happened?).
She promptly replied, “Raghav Chadha.”
He continued with another question, “Kaisa lagta hai Raghav Chadha?” (How do you find Raghav Chadha?). Smiling, she answered, “Handsome.”
The caption accompanying the video read: “Expectation: Airport = expensive. Reality: Rs 20 samosa + Rs 10 chai. Fact check passed.” The clip soon gained traction across social media platforms, with many users appreciating the affordability initiative.
The Udaan Yatri Cafe concept emerged after concerns were raised in Parliament about steep food prices at airports. During the Winter Session of 2024, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha highlighted how passengers are often compelled to pay inflated rates for basic necessities.
He pointed out that bottled water at airports can cost around Rs 100, while tea may be priced between Rs 200 and Rs 250. Questioning these high charges, he asked whether affordable canteens could be introduced within airport premises to offer relief to travellers.
Apart from pricing, Chadha also addressed airport management issues. He compared the condition at certain terminals to bus stands, mentioning overcrowding, long waiting lines, and poor organisation as recurring problems that diminish the passenger experience.
The viral clip did not go unnoticed by those involved. Raghav Chadha reacted in the comments, writing, “Haha, hope you enjoyed the samosa!”
Actor Parineeti Chopra, his wife, also joined the conversation. Responding to the compliment in the video, she wrote, “I totally agree.”
Social media users flooded the comments section with praise. One person wrote, “Much-needed step for the middle class! Well done, Raghav Chadha.” Another commented, “Huge respect for this man! We still have politicians who care for the public!” Someone else said, “Raghav Chadha only politician who talks about issues,” while another user added, “That ‘handsome’ was so on point.”
The Udaan Yatri Cafe stands out for its clear and pocket-friendly pricing. Tea and bottled water are available for Rs 10, coffee is priced at Rs 20, and snacks such as samosas, kachoris, and patties cost Rs 20 each. A sweet of the day is also offered at Rs 20. The initiative was first launched at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. Since then, it has expanded to multiple airports across the country, including Chennai, Ahmedabad (Terminal 1), Pune, Bhubaneswar, Itanagar, and Vijayawada.
For many passengers, reasonably priced food at airports feels like a long-awaited change. While flying will always involve certain unavoidable expenses, the introduction of affordable snack options is being seen as a positive and practical step. If the online response is any indication, a simple samosa and chai at budget-friendly rates have made a strong impression on travellers nationwide.
