I wrote recently to Mr R K Srivastava, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, copied to the Minister of Civil Aviation, and Chair of Celebi Nas Airport Services India Ltd, who operates the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
M D Master
By email
Dear Mr Srivastava
I write to you as your Department have responsibilities of all commercial airports in India. I am writing on behalf of my mother, 81 years of age and disabled. She goes to India annually to get away from the cold winters of UK. Her recent trip was on 25th January 2015 and returning on 31st March.
Upon spending billions of Indian taxpayer’s money on its construction, she was very impressed with the new terminal. It looked very grandiose and clean, which she hopes you are fully committed to keep it as such.
However, she was very shocked to note the lack of, and inferior facilities catered for the disabled, especially the provision of wheelchairs. Those that were available were very uncomfortable to sit on and some uncontrollable, which in the UK would fail its Health and Safety inspection. Surely, after spending billions on the building you could have at least managed to find a few thousand on the provision of the decent wheelchairs.
Another point which really irked her and found it shocking was the behaviour of porters employed at the airport. Due to strict security and current climate, I presume they are all in legal employment with either yours or the airport’s, ‘Terms and Conditions’ and are presumably paid a decent living wage/salary. Then, why, do they try to fleece passengers once they have completed their task, and demand “Chai/Pani”. Surely, this demand is in breach of their contract, and causes distress, especially to the elderly and infirm.
