New Terminal Immigration Facility on Hold, Lack of Separate Rest Rooms for Men, Women

Pune: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has met the requirements for immigration at the new terminal of Pune airport, but the immigration department has suggested setting up of separate rest rooms for men and women. This poses a challenge to the airport administration. International flights from the new terminal will start only after completion.

It's been five months since the new terminal was built. Currently, there are only two international flights to Singapore and Dubai from the old terminal.

Passenger numbers are also limited. After the new instructions came in, airport administration officials got into a bit of a heated argument with immigration department officials.

Immigration and immigration facilities have not been introduced at the new terminal. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol also tried to start the immigration facility, but his efforts did not succeed.

The airport administration, on the other hand, continues to follow up with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Immigration Department, however, stands by its suggestions. As a result, they are refusing to relocate to the new terminal. This, however, is hurting passengers.

A separate desk has been created at the new terminal on the instructions of the Immigration Department. Necessary space has also been made available for their employees.

Other suggestions have also been worked out. Despite this, airport authorities say the immigration department's response has not been positive. The customs department has not been able to resume work as international flights have not resumed.

Five months after the new terminal became operational, the digitra facility has not started. Bikas officials (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) inspected all the four entrances at the new terminal.

A team of experts from Mumbai has submitted its report to the headquarters in Delhi. However, it has not been approved. As a result, digiyatra has been stalled.

The new terminal handles about 60 flights per day. A total of 120 aircraft are transported. Passengers have to wait in line at check-in counters as the service has not started even though they have the DigiYatra app. It's a waste of their time.

Immigration and immigration facilities are being pursued at the new terminal, but approval has not yet been received. Passengers will be able to avail these facilities only after getting the approval, said Santosh Dhoke, Airport Director, Pune