It may be swanky and well lit, but the new international terminal at Chennai airport lacks good toilets.
This was the opinion of most passengers who fly out of the new facility on Monday night as part of a live trial run.
The passengers were bound for Singapore on an IndiGo flight, the only airline that participated in the trial.
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R. Krishnan (38), a Chennai native who works in Dubai, said, “I genuinely wish to appreciate the fabulous look of the new terminal but the poor maintenance of the toilets irks me. The taps are leaking and there is water spraying in all directions. My son got completely drenched.”
Fifty-five-year-old S. Ganesan, a software consultant, said the toilets were dirty and the housekeeping staff seemed completely indifferent.
“It is surprising the toilets in a brand new terminal are in such a pathetic state. Nobody seems to be bothered. The terminal looks great but the sanitation part does not match international standards,” he said.
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Passengers also complained of the lack of seating facility for visitors. While there are seats outside the new domestic terminal, a similar provision is yet to be made in the international terminal.
M. Subramaniam (57) said he was upset the large group of family and friends that came to see him off had to stand for a long time at the entrance. “It would have been great if the airport management had provided seats for the benefit of visitors,” he said.
Six months after inauguration, it was only on Monday a live trial run was conducted at the new international terminal. An official of Airports Authority of India (AAI) said it was still not known when full-fledged operations would commence in the new facility.
“We are still grappling with manpower shortage. It is very unlikely the terminal will open by month-end,” the official said.
Free shuttle
Air passengers can call 9940418055/994041806 for free shuttle service, through the day, between the domestic and international terminals.