Passengers At Pune Airport Face Concerns At Aeromall
Dedicated Express Lane Introduced for Feeder Buses from Pune Airport to AeroMall
The multi-level car parking facility, Aeromall, constructed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Pune airport at a cost of Rs 120 crores, was designed to ease parking woes and enhance the travel experience for passengers. However, recent reports indicate that the facility is encountering several challenges, affecting the convenience it was meant to provide.
Passengers, particularly those with small children and luggage, are experiencing discomfort due to the humid and stuffy atmosphere inside Aeromall. Despite its capacity to accommodate 1,000 four-wheelers, the facility has faced operational issues in recent days.
One major concern is the inefficiency of the cab services available at Aeromall. Passengers must navigate a pedestrian bridge to the second floor of the mall to access cabs. Unfortunately, these services are frequently overburdened, leading to wait times of 15 to 30 minutes for cab bookings. The situation is further aggravated by traffic congestion at the single exit designated for cabs.
Pooja Jagtap, a passenger, expressed frustration with the situation: “Cab services are available on a single floor. Consequently, passengers often have to wait for 20-30 minutes after booking a cab to trace their vehicle. Mobile phone issues compound the problem. The area can only accommodate eight to ten passengers, so others have to stand and wait for their cabs.”
Amit Mahajan, another traveler, highlighted additional issues: “As cabs are not available on time, the rush of passengers increases. Many cab drivers are unwilling to accept bookings for nearby areas. The presence of both rickshaws and cabs at the same location exacerbates traffic congestion.”
In response to these concerns, Santosh Dhoke, airport director at Pune, stated that a meeting has been held with cab drivers to address the grievances. “We are actively working to resolve these issues and have issued necessary directives to improve the situation. We are committed to finding a solution as quickly as possible.”
As efforts are underway to enhance the functionality of Aeromall, passengers are hopeful that these measures will soon alleviate the inconveniences and improve their overall experience at Pune airport.
