The implementation of the revamped vehicle parking system at Kerala's Kozhikode Airport is causing traffic jams in front of the airport, reported Manorama Online. Although a fixed time is set for exiting the airport, many vehicles find it tough to leave within the specified period as the arrangement is leading to a traffic jam, which led to protests from some passengers and visitors recently. The parking fee at the airport was also revised starting Friday. Now, there is a schedule for the exit of vehicles. An automated boom barrier has also been installed as part of the fee collection system. Vehicles entering the airport have an 11-minute window for exit. If a vehicle does not exist within that time, a parking fee must be paid. For vehicles leaving the parking lot near the international terminal, 9 minutes has been fixed, after which a parking fee for 30 minutes must be paid.
Implementing these changes led to delays as vehicles arrived in large numbers, struggling to exit within the stipulated time. This is the situation that sparked protests, and passengers alleged that the authorities were more focused on collecting fees than on decongesting the traffic jam. The increased number of flights in the morning led to more passengers coming in, and the vehicles of those arriving to drop off or pick up passengers are getting stuck inside the airport premises. The authorities are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
