Mangalore: Sentry for Airport Entry - For Now, Live with Problems!

Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Mar 14: Exactly a month ago, on February 14, Daijiworld.com had published a special report on the issue of traffic violation at the Airport entry point, stating that there was need for a sentry at the spot.

This report stressed on the violation of one way traffic rules and the danger it posed considering that the road is quite gradient and meandering and many passengers and motorists had complained about the danger posed by this so called violation of one way traffic rules. Many motorists believe it is a one-way road and very often they are in a hurry to the airport to catch the flight which enhances the risk factor of danger.

One may remember that till recently the passengers coming to the airport from Sri Devi College Road were strictly following one-way traffic rule which was enforced by the Airport authorities for convenience and all motorists used to adhere to this rule.

File Photo

The exit was from the Deccan Park side and hence there was free flow of traffic in these routes without causing any hindrance to others. This was done to ensure the safety of passengers and motorists. But in the last few months it has been noticed that taxis, autos, motorists and cars took the easy and nearest route back to their destination from the same entry point after dropping their families, relatives, friends and passengers at the toll-free-entry at the airport entrance.

When the report published in Daijiworld drew the attention of Airport Director M R Vasudeva, he immediatley wrote to the Bajpe police about the inconvenience caused to the passengers, urging them to take a decision and ensure safety of the public.

"Basically a law and order problem and comes under the supervision of the police department, the road is actually meant for two-way traffic and for convenience sake we had followed the system of one-way traffic rule”. He said

When contacted, Police Inspector of Bajpe Police station Dinakar Shetty said that though the problem is genuine action cannot be taken against erring passengers or motorists as there is no official notification to this effect of making it completely one-way traffic road. Shockingly enough he said it is the airport staff itself that take this easy way out from the entry road to come to Mangalore rather than use the exit road.

“When it comes to VIP’s we use the entry road for exit also but most of the time it is the airport staff who take the shortcut way throwing all norms of rules and regulations of their own department. Needless to say other taxis and passenger vehicles take a cue from them thinking it is free for all”, he pointed out.

Dinakar Shetty acknowledged that he has received a letter from the Airport Director but says that his department cannot spare his officials as there has been no sanction of police for the Airport. “We have severe shortage of police personnel in this station. We don’t have so many policemen to spare at the entry point though we have police posted on the main road leading to the airport. Hence we have written to the Airport Director that he should get the posts sanctioned from the government rather than shift the responsibility on us”, Dinakar Shetty declared.

The Police Inspector added that in most other airports it is the airport authorities who maintain the roads of entry and exit to the airport. “They have all the facilities at their disposal as they give the parking lot for maintenance for private parties for which they charge them quite a large amount. Maintaining the entry-exit point is not a big task for them”

Airport Director M R Vasudeva also stated that the Airport is now making use of the Zilla Panchayat Road to avoid any untoward incident that might arise out of the present impasse. Vasudeva also stated that a new multilane road towards Mangalore-Udupi is being sanctioned by the state government from the Deccan Park side at a cost of 7.5 crores.

One can only expect a few more years for the road to get completed considering the swiftness at which such works of the state government are executed. But till then what is the solution – is the question which the concerned passengers and even the motorists might be asking.

As reported, Mangalore Airport is the first airport in the entire South India to secure OHSAS: 18001-2000 certification accorded by the Giant Accreditation Board of Australia and New Zealand. This recognition is given for the Airport’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Incidentally this scope of safety management covered air traffic services at the airport, facilities at the terminal building and support services for passengers. Mangalore Airport is the first to get this recognition in entire South India.

No doubt it is a laudable and worthy achievement and credit should go to the Mangalore International Airport staff for this admirable accomplishment. Instead of passing the responsibility on the police, who are already overburdened, one can only expect the Airport management to go a step forward and ensure this safety net to the passengers and the motorists too and show that really care.

It is nearing two years since the new terminal of Mangalore Airport became operational at Kenjar which was welcomed by Mangaloreans with glee. Though Mangalore is yet to get the promised status of ‘an international airport’ union minister Veerappa Moily’s umpteen promises notwithstanding, accolades have come on its way time and again for the good work the Airport has been doing.

While this decision of according ‘international status’ is awaited at the highest level it is really noisome to note that the Airport Management and the police pettifog over the issue of maintenance and violence of traffic rules at the entry point of the road to the airport. This issue calls for a decision at the local level which should be taken either by the airport authorities or by the police keeping the safety of passengers in mind. But as of now there seems to be no solution at sight as either side thinks that the ball is in the other’s court and the other party has to find a solution.

While trying to be objective as a mass media, it is not right on our part to be judgmental. At the same time asking for a solution keeping in mind the safety factor of the passengers and motorists is not too much to ask for, when we say the two parties should find an amicable solution to provide respite to the general public.

• Mangalore: Wanted - A Sentry for Entry Point at Airport!