Touts don ‘uniform’ to beat airport security’s tall claims

Mumbai: Time and again, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for Mumbai airport’s security, has proclaimed that it has reduced touting at the airport. Besides, the Mumbai police too has expressed its heartfelt desire to make the airport a tout-free zone. However, DNA caught on camera touts doing brisk business at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), right under the nose of the two law enforcement agencies.
Dressed in crisp white shirt and navy blue trousers, the touts have an identity card hanging from their neck. Seen from a distance, they look like the airport staff, always ready to help you find a hotel room or a rental car. But mind you, this is all a well-planned illusion.
These touts operate at the CSIA even as the business is illegal in India. On July 2010, the CISF started a drive to remove these touts from the airport. In fact, this drive was planned after passengers complained of touts harassing them and overcharging them for hotel and transport.
But DNA’s test drive, on the night of December 6, showed that the ‘drive’ has been unsuccessful as CSIA’s arrival terminal 2A, Sahar, is infested with these touts.
Whenever passengers come out of the terminal, these touts rush to them asking if they require a hotel room or a car. Surprisingly, this business thrives in front of the tourism police van, stationed right in front of the arrival gate.
08/12/10 Naveeta Singh/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Dec 2010