Kolkata: Say goodbye to the long farewell hugs when you go to drop your loved ones at the airport. Kolkata airport authorities have decided to allow only three minutes halt time for cars at both the departure and arrival levels. Those found to linger longer will be fined Rs 400 by marshals deputed to keep the driveway in front of the terminal free. The authorities, however, have no plans to penalize VIP vehicles that clog the driveway.
The move, aimed to curb the practice of lingering in front of the terminal to avoid paying the parking fee, comes after two days of free access and parking at the airport. Earlier, there was a 10-minute leeway between entering and exiting the airport.
The contractor recently engaged to collect parking fees could not commence work from August 1 following a dispute with the contractual workers’ union. While the union insisted that all the 79 people who worked at the parking fee collection booths and parking lots be retained by the new contractor, the latter wanted to induct around 15 men that it had brought from outside. During the stalemate that continued for two days, no parking fee was collected.
The imbroglio was resolved on Friday evening following the intervention by the airport operator. Sources said the airport director urged the police to step in and bring all sides to the table. At a meeting held late on Friday, the airport director made it clear to both the sides that they needed to find out a solution and resume services at the earliest.
The union did not relent on its demand. “In recent months, hundreds have lost their jobs after Jet Airways shut down. We will not allow any more jobs to be lost,” said union leader Barun Natta. He refuted the allegation that the union had not allowed the contractor to function. “Our men and women have reported for attendance daily. It is the contractor who didn’t want to operate,” he said.
04/08/19 Tamaghna Banerjee/Times of India
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The move, aimed to curb the practice of lingering in front of the terminal to avoid paying the parking fee, comes after two days of free access and parking at the airport. Earlier, there was a 10-minute leeway between entering and exiting the airport.
The contractor recently engaged to collect parking fees could not commence work from August 1 following a dispute with the contractual workers’ union. While the union insisted that all the 79 people who worked at the parking fee collection booths and parking lots be retained by the new contractor, the latter wanted to induct around 15 men that it had brought from outside. During the stalemate that continued for two days, no parking fee was collected.
The imbroglio was resolved on Friday evening following the intervention by the airport operator. Sources said the airport director urged the police to step in and bring all sides to the table. At a meeting held late on Friday, the airport director made it clear to both the sides that they needed to find out a solution and resume services at the earliest.
The union did not relent on its demand. “In recent months, hundreds have lost their jobs after Jet Airways shut down. We will not allow any more jobs to be lost,” said union leader Barun Natta. He refuted the allegation that the union had not allowed the contractor to function. “Our men and women have reported for attendance daily. It is the contractor who didn’t want to operate,” he said.
04/08/19 Tamaghna Banerjee/Times of India
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