DIAL asked to make better use of golf carts

After taking the airlines to task on overpricing of airfare, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now cracked the whip on the Delhi Airport authorities. Sidhartha Roy reports.

After taking the airlines to task on overpricing of airfare, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now cracked the whip on the Delhi Airport authorities.

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DGCA, the country’s civil aviation regulator, has carried out a week-long audit of the Indira Gandhi International Airport to check safety measures, surveillance and passenger amenities. One of the first directives given to the private airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is to deploy golf carts at the huge Terminal 3 for passengers who find it tough to trek the long distances inside the terminal.

“During my visit to the terminal, I found that the golf carts meant to ferry passengers were all parked in a corner,” EK Bharat Bhushan, director general of Civil Aviation said. “We have directed them to deploy the golf carts properly.”

“The safety and surveillance audit being carried out at the airport is a regular feature,” he said. Senior DGCA officials, however, said the audit has been carried out after a long time with regular complaints on safety issues and lack of passenger amenities being made with the regulator. The audit was carried out from Monday to Friday and the team of DGCA officials will file their report within the weekend.

The regulator is expected to call a meeting with DIAL and other stakeholders next week to discuss the findings with the audit team. “One of the biggest issues is the exorbitant prices of food and beverages at the airport,” said a DGCA official, who didn’t wish to be named.

Other issues include proper markings on runways and taxiways, taxiway lights and circuit problems.