Pune: The airport administration has started imposing fines on commercial passenger vehicles like rickshaws and taxis that pick up passengers from the new T2 Terminal at Pune Airport that is now operational.

These vehicles are being fined between ₹300 and ₹500. Passengers are required to hire rickshaws and taxis from the Aeromall. Private vehicles, however, are allowed to pick up passengers from the airport premises.

The new terminal at Pune Airport became operational on July 14. Many passengers have raised concerns about being fined ₹300 for taking a rickshaw or taxi from the new terminal.

Passengers find it convenient to get rickshaws and taxis directly from the airport premises rather than going to the Aeromall, which is farther from the new terminal. Many passengers have expressed that fining rickshaws and taxis is unreasonable.

Santosh Dhoke, Director of Pune Airport, explained that 16 flights currently operate from the new terminal. While rickshaws and taxis are allowed to drop passengers off inside the airport, they are not permitted to pick up passengers from there. This rule has always been in place and is now enforced at the new terminal as well.

Commercial vehicles that pick up passengers from the airport premises are fined ₹300 to ₹500. This fine is imposed on the drivers, not the passengers.

Passengers must hire rickshaws and taxis from the Aeromall. Allowing these vehicles to pick up passengers inside the airport would lead to congestion and chaos.

Private vehicles can enter the airport premises to pick up passengers without being fined. The fines are only imposed on commercial passenger vehicles, as per the existing regulations, Dhoke clarified.

Two e-buses and golf carts have been made available to transport passengers from the new terminal to Aeromall. Both services are free for passengers, added Santosh Dhoke.