KCCI resents change in Srinagar Airport entry fees rules

Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has strongly opposed the  change of Airport Parking policy,  “causing extra burden, inconvenience and harassment to tourists, travellers and local people”.  KCCI in its latest communication invited the attention of the Airport Authority to the vehicle entry/parking system introduced at the Srinagar Airport some time ago. It reminded Director AAI about the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) meeting held with him on 5th August, 2024. “The matter of arbitrary charges and harassment caused to commercial as well as private vehicles was discussed in detail. Further, KCCI in its meeting held on 6th August, 2024 sought the intervention of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir who assured of his support in arriving at a resolution of the controversy”, KCCI said.

The KCCI believed that the matter of multiple entry / parking charges had been partly resolved. It was assured that the remaining issues of entry/ parking / exit would be further addressed after the Independence Day Celebrations were over. However, it has been noticed that the problem has only worsened with KCCI receiving numerous complaints from commercial operators as well as private travellers against the unjustified and arbitrary charges being forcibly recovered. despite the assurances to the contrary. The KCCI had demanded and again repeats its demand that the newly installed Toll Post be removed at once. The un-called for long wait and traffic jam cause huge inconvenience to tourists. Business and private travellers, moreover, in view of the tourism activity having revived after many decades of lull. The new policy is earning us a bad reputation because such system nowhere else exists. The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has received reports that in case the issue of drop time was not reviewed it would not be possible for commercial transporters to continue their services beyond Gate No 1 / Security Check Gate. Similar, sentiments are being expressed by local travellers. KCCI believes that It is unheard of in any part of the country or the World that a toll post beyond a parking area exist. Why and under what circumstances the toll post has been put in place is baffling. The KCCI believes that “One Nation One Policy” applies to the whole of India but why a different undesirable Parking policy has been adopted in Kashmir is not only discriminatory but undesirable as well. The KCCI demands that the newly introduced policy be forthwith withdrawn and the policy that existed previously restored at the earliest otherwise it will be termed as a “KASHMIR ENTRY CESS” KCCI is hopeful about the issue getting resolved at the earliest, the statement added.