The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will review its decision against allowing cars into the arrivals area of the new domestic terminal, after August 15.
Airport director H.S. Suresh said on Monday the decision was taken by the police in consultation with AAI.
Police officers felt a number of drivers parked their vehicles on the service road leading to congestion in the area, and hampering the free flow of traffic.
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They felt it would be best to allow vehicles only up to the parking zone, and no further.
Mr. Suresh said, after they received complaints from senior citizens and differently-abled persons, the authorities had decided to allow in vehicles that had come to pick up senior citizens or differently-abled persons.
D. Sudhakara Reddy of Air Passengers Association of India said the new traffic arrangement was put in place on July 7.
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“Nearly 75 per cent of the air passengers who arrive in Chennai are outsiders, and the new arrangement will pose a major problem to them,” he said.
He said the idea was a conspiracy of the police and the parking lot contractor. “The arrangement will lead to more congestion in the parking lot,” he said.
During rainy days and after dark, it becomes difficult to locate one’s vehicle in the parking lot. Senior citizens and the differently abled will find it difficult to reach the parking area and board their cars, he said.
The police must regulate the movement of vehicles inside the airport, and levy a heavy fine on violators.
Only such punitive action would help to keep the airport premises free of unwanted vehicles, said Mr. Reddy.