Chidambaram questions high price of packaged drinking water at Pune airport

PUNE: Former Union Minister P Chidambaram, while flying back to Delhi from Pune airport, raised the issue of the high price of packaged drinking water being sold inside the terminal building.

“Why is a bottle of water (the so-called mineral water) sold for Rs 60 by the concessionaire at the Pune airport? There is a solution, should install a vending machine that will dispense water and other soft drinks. Price of a bottle of water can be brought down to Rs 25,” Chidambaram said from his Twitter handle and tagged Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri.

In reply, the Pune Airport stated on Twitter, “Sir, the suggestion is welcome and we will strive to introduce the facility shortly. However, free filtered water with environmentally friendly disposable cups is also available at all SHA, PSCA and ARR areas.”

Reactions on these two tweets continued to pour in till late Saturday night, with many applauding the Pune airport authorities for the reply. 

“Pune airport is replying immediately after being asked something on Twitter. Every passenger has a different issue and they are replying and solving the problem. From day one since it has been activated, the passengers get a solution on time,” said PK Nair, an IT professional from Pune.
However, many passengers flying from Pune airport also raised the question about the high price of tea, drinking water and packaged food.
 
On Saturday morning, Pune airport tweeted again and tagged P Chidambaram, “We have a shop each in the departure and arrival in the airport in which coffee can be bought at Rs 25, tea can be bought at Rs. 20 and water can be bought at Rs 10. Always ready for your service. We will strive to introduce the facility of vending machines shortly.”