Patna airport restricts entry of 3-wheelers from outside

PATNA: The Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport has introduced a free e-rickshaw service that will carry passengers from the entry gate to the pick up and drop off area. Hence, no three-wheeler from outside will be allowed to ply on the premises of the airport.
According to airport officials, the step has been taken to get rid of traffic congestion, which occurs due to space crunch near the pick up and drop off area and the parking slot.
Airport director Bhupesh C H Negi told this newspaper on Tuesday, “Many autos restrict the smooth flow of traffic by standing in front of the airport’s parking slot, entry or exit gates and terminal building. Prohibiting their entry will streamline traffic movement on the airport premises.”
Negi added, “We have stationed altogether 10 e-rickshaws on the premises of the airport. They will carry passengers from the entry gate to the departure gate of the terminal building and from the arrival gate of the building to the exit gate.”
The free e-rickshaw service is likely to continue till the new terminal building of the airport, which is under construction, comes up. “This temporary restriction on three-wheelers will be lifted once the new terminal building is ready with additional parking space,” Negi said.
Meanwhile, flyers welcomed the initiative taken by the airport authorities. NIFT-Patna student Saloni Gupta usually hires an auto to reach the airport. “The free e-rickshaw service is great because cab and auto drivers charge extra money for picking up or dropping off passengers near the terminal building,” she said.
The drivers of three-wheelers, on the other hand, are quite upset with the decision. Surendra Kumar, an auto driver, rued, “Restricting our entry is nothing, but injustice. Private cabs should also not be allowed to enter the airport.”
Three new flights from March 29: As part of the summer schedule of the city airport, low-cost carrier, SpiceJet, is set to introduce three new flights from Patna to Jaipur, Guwahati and Amritsar from March 29.
The Patna-Jaipur (via Varanasi) flight (SG-2752/2753) will arrive at the Patna airport at 5.35pm, depart for Varanasi at 5.55pm and reach Jaipur at 9.10pm. On the other hand, the Guwahati-Patna-Guwahati flight (SG-425/426) will land at the Patna airport at 7.15am and depart at 8.20pm.
The Amritsar-Patna-Amritsar flight (SG-2758/2759) will reach Patna at 11.35am and leave for Amritsar at 11.55am. This is the second direct flight between Patna and Amritsar. The first one was started by Air India last year.