The Rajya Sabha MP praised the action and expressed hope that similar facilities will be given to other airports in the country. The AAP Rajya Sabha member turned to social media to share photos of the highly subsidised canteen that has opened at Chennai International Airport, expressing his delight at the action.
Parliamentarian Raghav Chadha hailed the opening of cheap canteen facilities at airports, the most recent of which was inaugurated at Chennai airport, and congratulated all those who helped to bringing about a “paradigm change” in how airports serve to ordinary folks.
“The government has finally heard the voice of the average man. While the project begins at Kolkata Airport, I hope it expands to include all airports across the country. This will ensure that flying travelers do not have to pay Rs 100-250 for essential commodities such as water, tea, or coffee,” Chadha explained.
He underlined that economical airport amenities are critical to the general public’s convenience.
Raghav Chadha raised the topic in Parliament during the Winter session, drawing members’ attention to the excessive prices of water, tea, and snacks at airports, as well as their negative impact on the common man.
In his statement, the RS MP underlined travelers’ misery and stated how they were compelled to pay exorbitant costs for food and beverages at airports.
“A water bottle costs Rs 100, and tea is priced between Rs 200 and 250. Can’t the government set up inexpensive canteens at airports? He had questioned. He also condemned bad airport management, comparing it to bus stops owing to long lines, overcrowding, and disarray.
“Glad to see affordable food canteens being set up at Airports. Grateful to everyone who supported my demand for affordable food and drinks at airports. Congratulations to each one of you – every drop together makes the ocean rise,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X.
The cafe debuted at Chennai airport’s T1 domestic terminal, providing clean and affordable refreshments. The water bottle costs Rs 10; tea costs Rs 10; coffee costs Rs 20, and samosas and sweets cost Rs 20 each.
Notably, on December 19, last year, the first Udaan Yatri Cafe opened at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the airport’s 100th anniversary.
Chadha raised the problem of pricey food stalls at airports, claiming that such outlets were making it difficult for air travelers, and presented a strong case in the Rajya Sabha for lowering the inflated rates.