The much delayed change of traffic plan at the Chennai airport may finally be implemented in a month’s time.
Airports Authority of India officials said the process to set up toll booths at entry and exit points would start soon after which the new plan would be put in place.
The change of traffic plan requires the opening of a central ramp of a vehicular bridge on the airport premises which runs adjacent to the Chennai Metro Rail station, which is also inside the airport.
At present, vehicles heading to departure halls of the domestic and international terminals take a right from the entry point, climb on the bridge and get off at the other end of the bridge. This puts passengers at a disadvantage because even vehicles that drop commuters at the domestic terminal will have to travel past the international terminal and then finally descend the ramp to exit the airport.
“But if the central ramp is thrown open, it will ease congestion and travel time of passengers will be reduced substantially. In the new plan, the domestic passengers will enter via the central ramp and exit from the right arm of the bridge. Passengers using the international terminal will enter from the left arm of the bridge and exit through the centre ramp,” an official said. “After the toll booths are set up, we will hold discussions with the traffic police. Then, there will be some trial runs to ensure to the new plan works fine and there are no congestions,” the official said.
Passengers have been taking a circuitous route to the airport for years due to the Chennai Metro Rail work and the delay in opening of the central ramp.
