Mumbai: 

Chock-A-Block: Traffic jams  like this one are a common  sight near Hotel Leela Kempinski on Andheri Kurla Road Pic Used For Representation

This is a must read for all those of you who are planning to fly abroad this monsoon. A three-project ordeal (see illustration) on the way to the international airport means you have to start out at least five hours (the three-hour check-in time included) in advance to be able to catch your flight.

The Sahar elevated road project, Sahar landside development project and renovation of the Sahar airport terminal building have resulted in the travel time between the Western Express Highway and terminal 2C going up from 25 minutes to almost an hour during peak hours. The situation is at its worst on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

The other approach

For those approaching the international airport from the central and eastern suburbs, the situation is only marginally better. Though they are able to avoid the Sahar elevated road project, the remaining two projects mean they require anything between 30 to 45 minutes to navigate their way from the Leela Kempinski turn to the airport.

"The on-going construction activity coupled with rains has made it necessary for passengers to leave for the airport well before the stipulated three hour check-in time," said a senior valet with Hertz rent-a-car service. Hertz has tied up with Emirates to provide a free pick-up and drop service for its business and first-class passengers. 

"The 1.8-km long Sahar elevated road project will stretch over the Andheri-Kurla Road before branching into the international airport terminal. Hence, traffic moving towards the international terminal will be affected," said an MMRDA engineer. He added that the agency had already written to the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) and international airlines about possible passenger delays.

'I was stunned'

Malad-resident Julio Miranda, who drove to the international airport recently to drop off a relative, said, "I was stunned to see that the main approach to the international terminal had been closed.

"Since the original signage has not been changed, I drove up only to face a barricade." Miranda, like most other drivers, had to use a 900-m diversion to reach terminal 2 C.
According to an MIAL official, all three construction sites will remain active well into mid-2009, so be prepared to endure these traffic snarls at least till then.