Bus terminal, airport sans connectivity, travellers suffer

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 2
The district administration recently submitted a proposal for the expansion of Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport to the Special Chief Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister. Residents and activists have demanded that Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori should make efforts for providing connectivity between local inter-state bus terminal and the airport.
Kulwant Singh Ankhi, patron, Amritsar Vikas Manch said, “Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is the only major international airport in India without any local or inter-state bus connectivity. As a result, air passengers coming to the airport are forced to spend unnecessarily on expensive taxis to travel within Amritsar and to other cities across Punjab. This is burdensome for many passengers flying to Middle Eastern countries, who are often blue-collar workers and cannot afford hefty taxi charges.” He said, “Deputy Commissioner must take up this pressing issue with officials of the Punjab Government.”
“Irregularities at the airport parking lot is a major issue. In the absence of an automated e-billing system like FASTag, passengers occasionally report inconsistencies in parking fee. The solution is to install an e-billing system to replace the manual process. The Deputy Commissioner should talk to new airport director to resolve this issue promptly,” said Yogesh Kamra, convener, FlyAmritsar Initiative.
Residents also demanded regular 24/7 police patrolling on the Kachehri-Airport road for ensuring safety and security of air passengers, many of whom carry valuables. “Deputy Commissioner must approach the Commissioner of Police for deployment of an adequate number of patrolling personnel on the airport road for the safety of travellers,” said Ankhi.