New Delhi 04 December 2024:
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha today criticized the government's proposed Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak-2024, while discussing the Indian Aviation Bill 2024 in Parliament. He raised important issues related to air travel and emphasized the need to make air travel more accessible and affordable for the common people.
He emphasized the importance of a robust transportation system for the nation's progress, stating, "When the speed of travel increases, the nation moves forward."
Chadha pointed out that increased airfares have made travel unaffordable for the common man.
He cited examples like ticket prices on common routes like Delhi to Mumbai and Patna have soared to Rs. 10,000–Rs. 14,500. He also cited the example of the Maldives, saying that while the government is promoting Lakshadweep instead of the Maldives, the airfare to the Maldives is Rs. 17,000, whereas the fare to Lakshadweep is Rs. 25,000. He remarked, "The country's progress will accelerate only when air travel becomes faster and more affordable."
"The government promised that even people wearing slippers would fly, but today, even those wearing Bata shoes cannot afford air travel," he remarked.
MP Raghav Chadha stated that the condition of the country’s airports has become worse than bus terminals. Long queues, overcrowding, and poor management are causing significant inconvenience to passengers. He urged immediate steps to improve the situation and enhance traveler amenities.
Raghav Chadha emphasized that air travel should be made accessible to the common men instead of being turned into a luxury. He pointed out that flying and reaching one's destination by air is still a distant dream for a large section of the population. He also highlighted the persistent issues faced by passengers, such as long queues, delays, and lack of basic facilities. Chadha added that a traveler spends Rs. 600–700 to reach the airport by taxi, only to find out that their flight is delayed by three hours. Long queues, delays, and poor facilities have made air travel challenging for passengers.
Chadha highlighted overpriced food and beverages at airports, where even a cup of tea costs Rs. 200-250. He suggested establishing affordable canteens at airports for the convenience of passengers.
Chadha also highlighted the difficulty of reaching many major tourist destinations from airports. "The lack of connectivity between tourist spots and airports is affecting our tourism. We are losing potential tourism opportunities," he stated.
Raghav Chadha also expressed concerns about flight delays and cancellations. He said, "People choose expensive air travel to reach their destinations quickly, but flights are often delayed by four to five hours. This is a significant issue, especially in smaller cities where flights are delayed for hours. In such situations, there is no one to take responsibility."
MP Raghav Chadha also raised concerns about the growing monopoly in the aviation sector. He stated that the two existing airlines are selling tickets at exorbitant prices without any regulation. He urged the government to encourage new companies in the sector to increase competition and improve services.
Speaking on the issue of heavy car parking fees at airports, Raghav Chadha highlighted that at smaller airports, parking charges have reached Rs. 200-250 per hour, while at larger airports, it is Rs. 220 per hour. The high parking fees at Delhi Airport have led taxi drivers to pass on the extra costs to passengers, further burdening the common people. This steep expense has become a significant issue for the general public. Chadha emphasized the need to regulate these unreasonable parking charges at airports to provide relief to travelers.
MP Raghav Chadha also raised the issue of overweight baggage charges in the House. He highlighted the growing concerns passengers face with baggage charges and baggage delays during air travel. Airlines charge passengers thousands of rupees for even a single kilogram of overweight baggage, often forcing travelers to leave behind their belongings.
Speaking about baggage delays, he mentioned that despite the screen showing "Baggage on Belt," passengers often have to wait for hours. He urged the government to establish a stable policy to address these issues and ensure a smoother travel experience for passengers.
He also addressed frequent delays and cancellations of flights, urging airlines to take accountability. He also questioned the efficacy of the UDAN scheme, noting that several airlines ceased operations since its implementation, defeating its aim of making air travel affordable.