Mumbai: Passengers landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) are stressed to follow the state government’s new rule. Maharashtra has made a rule of carrying negative COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test report compulsory for travellers from Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi.
COVID-19 tests service was expected to be provided at the airport through Mumbai Municipal Corporation. However, Mumbai International Airport Limited’s (MIAL), the private staff is costing Rs 1,400 per passenger for COVID-19 test. Meanwhile, if flights from different states land at the airport at the same time, social distancing norms are flouted in the lobby. The COVID test at the airport costs Rs 1,400, however, the state has capped it at Rs 980.
There is also a rage among passengers as they have to stand for long in a queue for COVID-19 check.
Subhash Gupta, Secretary of Yatri Sangh said, “Mumbaikars are robbed financially at the International Airport and this needs to be stopped. While the campaign is slated to be carried out by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the private company is charging Rs 1,400 per passenger and the passengers are being sent home saying that test report is issued after 24 hours.”
Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC, Suresh Kakani, informed “COVID-19 tests at the airport are conducted by Mumbai International Airport Limited. Passengers are undergoing RT-PCR tests and the test report is given within 24 hours. Passengers do not need to stop for long. Even the number of counters has been increased from two to eight to avoid overcrowding.”
