AHMEDABAD: In a major relief for people driving in and out of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport, airport authorities have announced the scrapping of the free time window of 10/12 minutes for parking. At present, people going to pick up or drop someone at the airport are supposed to collect a time-stamped toll ticket and get it screened before exiting. If the exit time exceeds the stipulated period, the vehicle owner has to pay Rs 85 as parking charge, irrespective of whether the vehicle was parked.“No parking charges will be levied for pick-up or drop — both at arrival and departure areas at the domestic and international terminals at SVPI airport,” said an AAI official. “Commercial vehicles coming to the airport to drop passengers at the departure area won’t be charged either. Commercial vehicles coming to the arrival area, however, will be required to pay an access fee of Rs 50.”AAI will impose charges for parking vehicles in designated parking spaces. Sources said that the system may be implemented over the next couple of weeks. The decision has elicited mixed response from frequent flyers.“I’m used to this system. However, the decision to waive charges is surely a welcome move,” said Esha Shah, a corporate trainer. Jayesh Modi, a businessman, however, has a slightly different opinion. “There would be utter chaos at the departure and arrival areas if parking charges are abolished because people will have a free run,” he said. “Airport authorities must introduce systems to regulate traffic movement at both the terminals.”Frequent flyers also expect basic infrastructure changes to make movement of cars easier.“At the domestic arrival area, it is difficult to spot your car even when cars have the 10-minute window,” said Sanket Shah, a businessman. “So if the window is abolished, people will not move as swiftly. It is important that a specific lane is defined for swift and regulated movement of vehicles.” SVPI airport director, Manoj Gangal, could not be reached for comment.

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