AAP MP Raghav Chadha Monday lauded the Centre’s initiative to launch affordable eating joint Udaan Yatri Cafe at the Kolkata airport, and said the ministry has finally paid heed to the common man’s needs. Terming the move “positive step”, Chadha said,”Finally, the government has heard the voice of the common man. While the initiative begins with Kolkata Airport, I hope it is extended to all airports nationwide. This will ensure that air travellers do not have to pay Rs 100-250 for basic items like water, tea, or coffee.”
While discussing the Indian Aviation Bill 2024 in the Winter Session of Parliament, Chadha had raised the issue of overpriced food and beverages available at the airport and said: “A water bottle costs Rs 100, and tea is priced at Rs 200-250. Can’t the government establish affordable canteens at airports?”
The Rajya Sabha member had also criticised the poor state of airport operations where the travellers often face long queues, overcrowding, and disorganisation.
Days after Chadha’s speech, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday announced the launch of Udaan Yatri Cafe at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport as a pilot project. If successful, the will be extended to other airports managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The cafe would offer essential items like water bottles, tea, coffee, and snacks at reasonable prices.
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated the cafe on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of the airport in Kolkata. “It is a matter of great joy that Kolkata Airport has completed 100 years today and on this occasion, the minister has inaugurated Udaan Cafe so that the common man can also get a good facility here and it will be our endeavour to provide the best facilities not only at the national level but also at the world level to every citizen,” news agency ANI quoted AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar as saying.
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