Another factor contributing to the woes is metro construction works, according to the director of the Chennai airport
Representational Image. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: The stretch of road leading to the city airport, GST Road, has always been a perpetual cause of concern for passengers. With recent incessant rains and water-logging, it is a veritable nightmare for the all those crossing that path including crew of airlines leading to a delay in flights.
Traffic inspector B. Perumal who mans the traffic on the stretch says this problem existed for long but nothing much has been done. Inclement weather has further added to his woes as he faces a tough time regulating traffic.
“With heavy rains and water-logging it becomes difficult but we have no option,” Perumal said. During peak hours it is worse when people move towards domestic and international terminals,” he said.
Another factor contributing to the woes is metro construction works, according to the director of the Chennai airport. “We have been conducting constant co-ordination meetings and deliberations with CMRL, state government and are trying to expedite the construction of metro work.”
The journey from Trident to the terminal, a distance of less than a kilometer, takes nearly an hour because of heavy traffic, he said. “Even on normal days people get stuck but nobody can do anything. Some crew members did get struck and they raised a complaint but we can’t do anything apart from delaying the flight,” airport director Deepak Sastri Shastri said.
Air Passengers Association president, Sudhakar Reddy, has a word of advice. He says people, including airline crew, wanting to get to the airport will have to leave earlier than usual. Following last week’s heavy downpour, airlines operating in the city have asked their crew to come in early to avoid any risks. “To be on the safe side we have put up our crew and staff in nearby hotels so that it is easier to commute,” said a spokesperson from Indigo.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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