Mangaluru: Taxi operators at Mangaluru International Airport have expressed dissatisfaction over revised vehicle entry and parking charges, with former MLA and Udupi District Taxi-men’s Association president Raghupathi Bhat giving the Adani Group a 10-day deadline to address their demands.
Bhat said taxi operators had submitted several appeals to the Adani Group, which operates the airport, but had not received a response. He warned that the association would launch a series of protests at Kenjaru if its demands were not met within the stipulated period.
The dispute centres on changes to the free entry period and charges imposed on vehicles entering the airport premises. According to Bhat, the earlier arrangement provided 10 minutes of free access, followed by a charge of Rs 90. Under the revised system, the free period has been reduced to eight minutes, while the charge has increased to Rs 180.
He also pointed to a newly introduced fee of Rs 50 for taxis and auto-rickshaws entering the airport premises.
Taxi association seeks revised charges
The Udupi District Taxi-men’s Association has demanded that the airport authorities restore a more affordable fee structure for commercial vehicles.
Bhat said the association wanted an eight-minute free access period, followed by a charge of Rs 100.
He argued that the revised charges were placing an additional burden on taxi operators who regularly enter the airport to pick up and drop off passengers.
The association has warned that it will begin a series of protests at Kenjaru if the Adani Group does not respond to its demand within 10 days.
Bhat also expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the lack of response from the airport operator despite appeals to the company and representations by elected representatives.
Bhat criticises airport privatisation
Bhat criticised the decision to hand over Mangaluru International Airport to a private operator, arguing that the change had made it more difficult for local stakeholders to resolve their grievances.
He said the airport should not have been handed over to a private entity and maintained that the earlier government-run system provided better access to officials and decision-makers.
According to Bhat, taxi operators could previously approach the Airport Authority and other officials to raise concerns and seek solutions. He claimed that the situation had changed after the airport came under private management.
“If it were government-run, local MPs, MLAs and the Deputy Commissioner could simply speak up and get things done,” he said, expressing dissatisfaction with the current arrangement.
Bhat also alleged that the Airport Authority’s role had become limited following privatisation, with little authority over decisions affecting local stakeholders.
Association raises concerns over lack of response
Bhat said the association had repeatedly approached the Adani Group regarding the charges but had not received a satisfactory response.
He further claimed that even representations by local MPs and MLAs had failed to produce a resolution.
The association’s demand is focused on reducing the charge following the eight-minute free period and reviewing the additional fee imposed on taxis and auto-rickshaws entering the airport premises.
The Adani Group’s response to the association’s latest demand was not available at the time of reporting.
Protests threatened if demands remain unmet
The 10-day deadline sets the stage for a possible confrontation between taxi operators and the airport management if the dispute remains unresolved.
The association has said it will organise a series of protests at Kenjaru after the deadline if the requested changes are not implemented.
The dispute highlights continuing concerns among local commercial vehicle operators over the cost of accessing the airport and the process for raising grievances with its private management.
Airport Access Charges for commercial vehicles are an established and widely accepted practice at airports across India. Airport operators invest continuously in the development, maintenance, and security of landside infrastructure while ensuring the efficient management of increasing traffic volumes.
Response from Airport Authority
An Airport Access Charge has been introduced for commercial vehicles at Mangaluru International Airport. The revised tariff is aligned with similar practices implemented at some of the airports across the country and has been determined to support the management and upkeep of landside facilities while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The airport operator incurs significant expenditure on security arrangements, electricity supply, infrastructure maintenance, and the personnel and facilities required for traffic management. In addition, essential amenities, including sanitation facilities, are provided for drivers and visitors arriving to drop off or pick up passengers.
This is for the first time the airport has introduced this charge and taxi drivers, as part of their operational protocol, will not bear this cost.