Amritsar is among the most preferred tourist places where people from not only other parts of India but also from abroad land to visit the holy Sri Harmandir Sahib and many other places. Tourists first land at Amritsar Airport and from there they explore the holy city. As a result, Amritsar Airport which is named Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is being witnessed as the first example of how much the city has developed. However, passengers or travellers have complained that the infrastructure of Amritsar Airport is on the decline and they often have to face problems inside the Airport due to frequent rushes. Also, passengers have outlined that out-gate washrooms are in poor condition.
A passenger named Paras while talking to True Scoop outside Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport said, "I am about to board a flight for Mumbai. It is an international airport. I often travel to different cities in India. However, I observed at Amritsar Airport that there is no bathroom facility. I am a traveller and I am sitting outside right now but there is no toilet facility outside."
"Apart from this, the road from Amritsar Bus Stand to Airport is not that good, and spacious. Traffic jams are frequent. It took 45 minutes for me to get to the Airport from the bus stop. This is an international airport, if these things don't get improved how the people will come here? There should be a bathroom facility outside the airport. The Airport should also be kept clean. Passengers come here from abroad as well. If they don't find the airport clean, then it won't be good. If you go to Mumbai or Delhi Airport, you will find the airports very clean. In comparison with Delhi and Mumbai Airports, I will only rate 3 out of 10 to Amritsar Airport."
Another passenger talking to True Scoop said, "Facilities are fine but it still needs improvement. For example, infrastructure needs to be improved. Washrooms inside Airport are fine but they can be more high-tech. People from abroad come here, therefore, washrooms should be more high-tech.
If a foreigner is coming here, a reception desk should be here that can help and guide them regarding Taxis, hotels, etc. I have noticed one thing, when we enter the airport through in-gate the washrooms are best. But, washrooms at out-gate is not very good. Suppose if someone from outside (abroad or different state) is coming, then those washrooms should also be good. If you ask me to rate Amritsar Airport, I will rate it 6 out of 10."
Chairperson of the National Minorities Commission, Iqbal Singh Lalpura while talking to True Scoop said, "I too travel a lot and hence, I will raise the issue with Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan. Since, Amritsar is a holy city and is a religious tourism hub of Punjab, mismanagement at Amritsar Airport is not acceptable."
Former Jalandhar MP & BJP leader Sushil Rinku also said that he will raise the issue of Amritsar Airport infrastructure with the Union Aviation Minister. Rinku said, " People of Jalandhar also travel from Amritsar Airport and they have faced similar problems. Hence, he will discuss this with Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan."
Furthermore, a few industrialists of Jalandhar may also raise the Amritsar Airport issue with the Aviation Ministry. Although Adampur Airport is in operation, flight services are still limited. Hence, Amritsar Airport becomes the perfect option for them to board the flight, especially when highways continue to remain blocked due to farmers' protests.
True Scoop reached out to S. K. Kapahi, Airport Director, Airports Authority of India Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport Amritsar, and asked about the problems outlined by the travellers. On cleanliness, S. K. Kapahi said that the Airport gets cleaned frequently and cleanliness staff are available 24*7 (every time).
On being asked about the poor quality and unhygienic condition of outgate washrooms, S. K. Kapahi said, "The outgate washrooms have been shut down temporarily. Construction work is going on."
Talking about too much rush at the airport, S.K. Kapahi said, "Rush at the airport is good for us. It is not like there is a rush every time. Sometimes multiple flight departures take place at the same time, therefore gathering of passengers increase."
True Scoop asked S.K.Kapahi whether the Airport Authority is planning to expand Amritsar Aiport so that crowd gatherings or rush inside the airport do not take place. The Airport Director said, "It is in our pipeline. Flights are also increasing as compared to earlier days. It is possible that the area can be expanded. We will sit and have a discussion over this. With whom we will meet over Amritsar Airport expansion, it's a matter of future. But, we will definitely do something on this."
As per directflights report, AmritsarAirport is a small to medium size airport in India. There are on average 33 passenger flights scheduled to take-off from Amritsar every day to 23 non-stop destinations in 8 countries.
Since the rush becomes too much sometimes, True Scoop asked why is it not fine to divert some flights to nearby airports. S.K. Kapahi said, "There are some direct flights from Amritsar. If we direct flights to nearby airports, passengers have to travel there (eg Delhi or Chandigarh) and from there they will have to board the flight."