The Hindu : National : A turbulent day at the Delhi airport

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Friday, Feb 03, 2006

National

National

A turbulent day at the Delhi airport

Staff Reporter

Flights on schedule but a lot of trouble on the ground for travellers

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

NO ENTRY!: Striking airport employees blocking the entrance to the Indira Gandhi International Airport to protest against privatisation of airports, in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: While flight operations were largely on schedule all through Thursday, the pinch of the strike by Airports Authority of India (AAI) employees was felt at the Delhi airport by ordinary as well as VVIP passengers.

Day two of the strike saw hundreds of passengers lugging their baggage as the employees blocked the entry and the exit at the domestic terminal for several hours in the morning. With the workers blocking the way of the former Union Minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu's car, chaos and traffic jams prevailed for the most part of the day.

Most passengers were left fuming, as they had to drag their suitcases for long distances in the rush to catch flights. While frequent fliers came prepared, carrying only bare essentials, those returning to Delhi from a holiday were not so lucky. "It is really not a good end to a lovely trip," said an elderly woman trying to manoeuvre her way through a long line of cars stranded at the blocked exit.

"I had to lug my luggage a long distance. It is really not fair. The traffic police created a diversion from the Dwarka Underpass. But it really didn't work very well as you couldn't bring your car in," rued a harried Sushil Swami.

Those who managed to get their vehicles in found themselves stuck at the airport for hours. With the agitating employees barricading the exit, traffic came to a standstill. "There is really no point even trying to get out," moaned a passenger standing outside his car. "I have been waiting since 8 a.m. to get my car out."

The workers shouted slogans against Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Mediapersons were not spared either, with the workers alleging that some television channels had portrayed them in a "negative light." There were also reports of workers overturning dustbins and breaking glass panes in the arrival lounge. "Everyone is talking about the inconvenience caused to passengers, and no one is bothered about our livelihood," an agitating employee said.

Describing it as a "Solidarity Day" to protest against privatisation of airports, trade unions extended support to the AAI workers. Senior Left leaders addressed them in the morning.

"Precious property of the country is being sold. The question is about the entire working class.

The Government is privatising banks and the insurance sector. If the Government goes ahead with its decision to privatise airports, it will face the wrath of the trade unions," warned senior Communist Party of India leader Gurudas Dasgupta.

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