Lax policing, nexus between parking operators and union leaders and absence of signage lead to the steady growth of touts and their periodic return at the inconveniencing frequent fliers and tourists.
While authorities blamed it on cops for not being able to free the premises of taxi, hotel and tour touts, cops passed the buck on airport officials for “failing to install enough signage and act tough” against the agency manning the parking who are often hand-in-glove with the touts.
TOI takes a look at the problem points and possible solutions.
Insufficient prepaid taxi counters
Kolkata airport has only one prepaid taxi counter outside the terminal — near Gate 3C. However, during rush hour, with passengers coming out from five gates, the counter often goes unnoticed and the touts come in to cash in on.
Solution | There should be more prepaid taxi kiosks along with help desks near each exit gate to help passengers with directions to book cabs and buses as well as to provide information on app cabs.
Lack of proper signage
The airport is ill equipped when it comes to modern day signage with proper directions pointing the way towards prepaid taxi counters and precautionary directives.
Solution | Provide proper, easily visible and legible signage that allows tourists and visitors unfamiliar with the airport easy knowledge about both prepaid and app cabs.
Sporadic police presence
Cop presence outside the terminal is limited to the only prepaid taxi kiosk. The authorities had tried to install three help desks with outposts outside the arrival terminal, but were not given permission by the airport authorities Solution | Police kiosk at Gate 3 should be up and functional and there should be cops near each of the five arrival gates to act as deterrent.
Absence of vigil due to poor manpower
The terminal premises is managed by the NSCBI police station that has barely 45 odd personnel to man the entire airport. This is certainly not enough to nab each and every tout.
Solution | CCTV camera coverage of the arrival porch with cops monitoring the images from police station. There is face recognition software that can be used. The image of a repeat offender has to be fed into the system.
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