PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Transport secretary, Brijesh Kumar Sant, has directed the Dehradun Airport Authority to reduce the parking fee from Rs 345 to either Rs 100 or Rs 150 within 10 days. This order was issued during a recent meeting held to address protests against the excessive parking fees charged to taxis operating at Jolly Grant Airport, as well as to discuss the permission for Ola and Uber services at the airport. The meeting was convened at the Transport Headquarters under the orders of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and was chaired by the Transport secretary. Several officials, including transport officials, Dehradun Airport Director BCH Negi and representatives from the Uttarakhand Taxi Maxi Mahasangh, were present.
It is important to note that the State President of the Uttarakhand Taxi Maxi Mahasangh Sunder Singh Panwar recently raised concerns about the excessive and illegal parking fees being charged to taxis at Dehradun Airport, which are negatively impacting taxi operators financially. He informed that the parking company charges Rs 20 for taxis registered under the airport authority. However, for other taxi operators who pick up and drop off passengers, the fee is set at Rs 345, which they consider excessive. This situation has caused concern among taxi operators coming from Haridwar, Rishikesh and other areas, as nearly half of their revenue from each trip is spent on parking charges.
In light of these issues, the meeting was held. Panwar said in the said meeting the Transport secretary directed the Dehradun Airport director to reduce the parking fee to either Rs 100 or Rs 150 within 10 days. He said that considering this direction, the Airport director has assured that action will be taken by April 10.
He emphasised that the delegation made this decision with the interests of all transport business owners in Uttarakhand in mind, aiming to prevent financial exploitation of transport operators and pilgrims visiting the State, as well as to protect the State’s image. He pointed out that this is a C-class airport in Uttarakhand, yet the parking charges are higher than those at all A-class airports across India. He also stressed the need to stop the five per cent annual tax imposed on transport operators in the State and mentioned that he will soon meet with the Transport minister, Pradeep Batra, regarding this matter.
