Visitors to the Chennai airport can expect congestion-free movement of vehicles from Sunday. Thanks to the introduction of a new computerised access-controlled car parking management system, the long traffic snarls involving vehicles inside the airport premises during peak hours are expected to easy considerably. E.P. Hareendranathan, Airport Director, Chennai Airport, said the new system is being introduced as per the policy of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and also to comply with the security guidelines laid down by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. As per the guideline, no stationary vehicle should be permitted in close proximity to the terminal building.
The AAI granted licence to manage the car parking at the airport through e-tendering process to Mumbai-based Garuda Aviation. Mr Hareendranathan said six lanes each, with barriers, for entry and exit of vehicles has been created at the airport. The lanes are manned through a computerised system, he said.
Details of every vehicle entering the airport would be recorded and each vehicle is given a free period of five minutes to drop or to pick up the passengers. Within this prescribed time, the vehicle has to vacate the free vehicle movement lane. Once out of the this lane, they could choose premium parking lot, located close to the terminal or the regular parking lot, located a little far away from the terminal. While Rs 120 is the charge for a vehicle at the premium parking for a four-hour halt, in the normal parking area, the fee is Rs 60 for cars and Rs 70 for bigger vehicles for four hours.
P.K. Agarwal, Director, Garuda Aviation, the new parking contractor, said the new system would help in easing congestion at the vehicle pick-up and drop area in front of the terminal buildings. It will also curb movement of unauthorised vehicles, especially taxis, in the free lane and on airport premises.
Separate areas have been earmarked for taxis, authorised car rental companies and parking space for the vehicles of employees of agencies.
