Trial run of ‘waiting’ charge at airport soon

The Delhi airport will soon witness a trial run of the 'overstaying charge' system planned by the private airport operator, reports Sidhartha Roy.

The Delhi airport will soon witness a trial run of the 'overstaying charge' system planned by the private airport operator.

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The move is being planned to deter vehicles waiting for more than five minutes at the pick-up lane outside the domestic arrival terminal.

In a bid to avoid congestion outside the domestic terminal 1C, created by private vehicles waiting to pick up passengers, airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) will levy an overstaying charge.

Private cars will be allowed to wait at the pick-up lane outside the terminal for a maximum of five minutes, after which a charge of Rs.100 will have to be paid for the next five minutes. An additional R 50 will be charged every five minutes after that.

Though the date to implement the new system is yet to be finalised, sources said that a dry run will begin within a month.

DIAL has already installed the infrastructure comprising boom barriers, receipt vending machines, pay booths and barricades at the pick-up lane.

Private cars entering the pick-up lane will be issued a receipt with the entry time printed on it and will be stopped at pay booths at the end of the lane, where additional waiting time of over five minutes would be calculated and charged.

"The trial run is expected to go on for three to four weeks, during which we would be able to check if the equipment is functioning properly," said an official who did not wish to be named. "This would also help in informing passengers well in time before the system kicks in."

"Though the charge would discourage those who overstay, five minutes is not enough time for passengers to identify their car, load luggage and then sit inside," said Pankaj Agarwal of the Delhi RWA Joint Front.

"The money collected should be utilized to improve passenger amenities,” he added.