Oct 17, 2007 03:45 PM
5666 Views
After visiting countries and landing in so many
international airports when I land back in Mumbai airport, I used to get a feeling
that my flight has landed in a railway station(Quite literary). Well the
feeling was such and Mumbai airport use to affirm the same to me. Well forget
the airport, the feeling starts well before lading. When your plane is a approaching
towards Mumbai airport to land you are greeted with a wide array of slums occupying
every possible inch around the airport. Some time it looks like the plane is
landing right in the slums. What a lasting impression it leaves with tourist
and foreign visitors about our beloved country and our Mumbai city.
Airports are ambassadors of any country and are the first
impression for the country.
Well the time is changing. And it is changing for good. I
have seen a very decent changes and improvement in the Mumbai airport since
last 2 years. The look and feel has changed. No more railway station looks. The
interiors are now looking quit sober and neat. The staffs attitude have
changed, the age old dying passenger luggage trolleys have been replace with
new ones. The seating chairs have been changed in waiting areas. The security has
been beefed up. Most interesting is the immigration is now a breeze. There are
no serpentine lines anymore towards immigration. 32 immigration counters. Just
walk through. Baggages also arrive almost on time.
Well now I am very much impressed whenever I fly back to
Mumbai. The deployment can be seen and I am waiting for the renovation to
complete. The government plans to model the Dubai airport for Mumbai airport. There will
be big duty free shops zone too. The slums around the airport will be cleared
and the land will be developed by airport authority. Monorail and metro rail
will be connected to the airport. A new flyover bridge will directly land on
the western express highway.
There is a sudden growth of international airlines
connecting to Mumbai now. Good for the passengers who use to face hard ship in
Mumbai airport, now can rejoice and proudly say in future, I bought perfume at
Mumbai airport duty free shop.
