PUNE: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is trying to resolve problems faced by passengers while obtaining drinking water at Pune airport. Now, the authorities have installed four drinking water machines at four places inside the terminal building. The passengers can fill their empty bottles without paying any money.
“We have installed four drinking water kiosks at departure, arrival and Security Hold Area (SHA). Passengers can fill their bottles from these machines and they do not need to pay for it,” said Kuldeep Singh, Director of Pune airport.
Thousands of passengers travel every day from Pune airport. There has been always a complaint about the high price of packaged drinking water sold at food outlets inside the terminal building. However, a year ago, the authorities started a new stall to provide low-cost tea, coffee and water. However, passengers were not buying water and tea from these stalls and raised questions about high prices on social media.
A month ago, former Union minister and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram had also raised questions about the same. In reply, the authority showed him a low-cost stall at SHA.
“The drinking water machines can be used by any passenger. If someone has doubts about the water quality, they can ask for a certificate which is kept with the terminal manager. The water is tested in government labs,” said Singh.
According to him, the a machine has been installed in arrival area, one in departure and two in SHA.