Pune: Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport Pune's newly expanded terminal is set to offer relief to regular travelers by providing essential beverages such as tea, coffee, and bottled water at significantly reduced prices.

The airport administration has announced that a dedicated stall will be introduced where passengers can buy these items at affordable rates, addressing a long-standing concern among budget travelers.

Currently, tea is priced as high as ₹200, and bottled water costs between ₹60 and ₹80 at various stalls in the new terminal. While the Indian government’s 'Udaan' scheme aims to make air travel affordable for the common man, the steep prices of basic amenities like tea and coffee have been a point of frustration for many passengers.

The old terminal already featured a stall offering beverages at lower prices, but no such option has been available at the new terminal until now.

Responding to passenger demands, the Pune Airport Authority has now announced plans to open a small stall where tea and bottled water will be sold at just ₹20. "The initiative will provide regular travelers with affordable refreshments," said Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke.

The new terminal currently handles around 120 flights daily, with plans to expand its operations in the coming months. The stall is expected to be up and running within the next 10 to 15 days, catering to the increased number of passengers.

The issue of overpriced beverages at airports recently gained national attention after former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram posted on social media about purchasing tea for ₹340 at Kolkata Airport.