The Transport and Tourism Minister of Tripura issued a cautionary statement to auto drivers at the Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala after an increase in complaints from air passengers.
The minister clearly mentioned that any future instances of misconduct towards air passengers will lead to immediate permit cancellations for the drivers involved.
Chowdhury emphasized the importance of good conduct among auto drivers. He warned that if their behavior falls short, private agencies may be allowed to provide services at MBB Airport.
The Minister issued the warning at a high-level meeting convened by the Transport Minister, held in the conference hall of the MBB Airport’s Old Passenger Terminal building on Wednesday. Key administrative officials were present at the meeting.
One significant topic of discussion during the meeting was the recent introduction of a pre-paid auto-rickshaw counter at the MBB Airport on April 25. This initiative aimed to enhance the convenience of air travelers. However, the initiative encountered obstacles as passenger bookings remained notably low, and a series of complaints regarding misconduct by auto drivers came to light.
To address these concerns comprehensively, a thorough deliberation took place involving relevant administrative officials and representatives from various unions.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the behavior of certain auto drivers, Chowdhury issued a strong caution to those found guilty of misconduct. He asserted that stringent measures would be swiftly implemented in response to any reported cases of ill-treatment towards passengers.
Among the other various topics covered in the meeting were discussions about pre-paid fares for auto-rickshaws and the potential introduction of pre-paid taxi services at the airport. The meeting saw the participation of Abhijit Deb, Chairman of the Tripura Road Transport Corporation; Uttam Kumar Chakma, Secretary of the Transport Department; Kailas Chandra Meena, Director of Agartala Airport; Monchak Yappa, Inspector General of Tripura Police; Rajeev Dutta, Additional District Magistrate of West Tripura District; Dr. Kiran Kumar K, Superintendent of Police for West District; Manik Das, Superintendent of Traffic for West District; and Bijay Debbarma, Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector.
Representatives from various trade unions, CISF officers, and airport security personnel were also present.
According to Tourism experts, the Transport Minister’s proactive stance underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and nice experience for air travelers at the MBB Airport.