Authorities 'helpless' as Bagdogra Airport traffic snarl rules roost

MANAS BANNERJEE, SNS, 14 DECEMBER, BAGDOGRA. Authorities concerned have expressed helplessness when it comes to easing the traffic congestion at Bagdogra Airport, thanks to the rampant parking of vehicles belonging to the government, VIPs and the Army Compounding the problems today were some tourist cabs and hired vehicles, some that even had political party flags in them.

Police sources said they were "powerless" in handling those vehicles, especially those belonging to the Army, VIPs and political parties.

While the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) keeps a close vigil on the overall security in and around the airport, police look into the law and order problem and check crimes.

"Army personnel do not understand the practical problem here, and they park vehicles on the lane, even as some cases related to the same offence have been registered against them," police sources said." They may not follow the traffic rules outside, but interestingly, departmental proceedings have started against some personnel belonging to several defence wings like the SSB, BSF and even the Army for carrying cartridges in their bags. They were caught doing so during scans conducted by different airlines. Recently, a defence staff was found carrying a magazine of a gun, which was full of bullets, in his bag," the police sources said,

Similarly, airport authorities are in no position to control the hundreds of taxis parked on the airport premises, while their drivers even do not bother to pay the parking fees, just like the drivers of cars belonging to VIPs, Army and other defence organizations.

Asked to comment on a vehicle with Trinamul Congress party flags, INTTUC unit president for local taxi drivers and owners, Raja Dey, said: -The vehicle was just waiting for footballers, who will be coming from Kolkata by flights.The party organizes a night football tournament here every year."

Bagdogra Airport Director Rakesh R Sahay, who is in Ranchi attending two-day conference there, admitted the problem of traffic congestion and public grievances over the abnormal parking fees.

"The contract for collecting parking fees will be terminated. We plan to increase the time limit from 5 to 10 minutes as a fresh contract will be signed", he said over phone.

"Space constraint is a major issue in managing parking, as there are hundreds of unauthorized local cabs. Around 300 local taxis occupy a huge space, causing accommodation problems for other vehicles, which are, therefore, forced to park at different areas unscientifically," he added.

It may be mentioned here that a driver has to pay Rs 55 if s/he crosses the 5-minute time limit set for dropping passengers and returning to the gate.

When contacted, the Trinamul Congress-backed INTTUC unit president, Raja Dey, said: "The present agency is collecting parking fees illegally from a car driver, who enters the Airport area to drop passengers and returns in an empty car. The agency cannot demand parking fees for the delay caused by the traffic congestion. Drivers, who do not park their small cars in the parking area refuse to pay Rs 55 for a few minutes."

"We do not pay parking fees because authorities here have not yet provided the basic amenities which are required for a parking place," he said, adding,"This agency s motto is to collect money by blocking the toad forcibly.

Not ably a small police outpost was set up at the Bagdogra Airport during the tenure of the Siliguri Police Commissioner K Jayaraman to maintain law and order there,

while posts for a sub-inspector, two assistant sub-inspectors, four constables and seven civic volunteers were sanctioned in 2013, when the number of flights was far less than it is now. "The sub-inspector's post is lying vacant since the past many days, while the rush of passengers and vehicles goes beyond control every day," police sources said.

Top officials, meanwhile, conducted an inspection on 23 October last for setting up of a well- equipped police outpost to manage the unruly situation at the airport, it is learnt.

(To be continued)