180-m canopy at airport, but no solution for waterlogging

Despite investing Rs 5 crore in the canopy, Pune airport authorities ignored details like providing outlet for the water collected at the entrance

180-m canopy at airport, but no solution for waterlogging

Pune airport

Pune: Even after the a 180-metre canopy was installed at the international airport in the city, the Rs 5 crore investment has not helped protect passengers from heavy showers.

Pune airport
Walking on water: Passengers were seen making their way towards the departure gate through the water collected in the area

mid-day observed that passengers arriving and departing from the airport still had to walk through water that was collected due to lack of any outlet for it.

Moreover, the false ceiling above the flight information board has sprouted leaks, and the electronic board has now been covered with a plastic sheet for over a week.

Passengers speak
Passengers arriving to the city allege that while the Airport Authority of India (AAI) spent crores of rupees to set up a canopy, ignoring important details like taking care of leaks has washed these efforts down the drain.

“When I arrived at the airport, I had to make my way through the water. While on one hand, the AAI installed the huge canopy, they did not provide any outlet for the water collecting at the entrance. This goes to show how the authorities treat airline passengers and the kind of facilities they provide,” said Sanjeev Singh, a businessman.

Another passenger, Yogendra Vajpayee, said, “I have seen many airports in the country, but this is the first time I have come across an airport that does not display details of departure of flights. They have switched off the board and covered it with plastic.”

When mid-day contacted Manoj Gangal, director of Pune airport, he was unavailable for comment as he is on leave till August 3.

Officialspeak
An airport official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “There is some problem with the false ceiling because of which water is continuously dripping on the electronic board and we had to switch it off. Due to continuous rain, we are unable to fix the ceiling for now. Since there is no slope at the entrance, there has been waterlogging at the gate. We are planning to put up barricades and passengers can use gate number 2 for departure.”