Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 13 September 2022
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has requested the Airport Director of VSI Airport, Port Blair to provide seating, drinking water and toilet facility at the existing Airport Building for drivers and other tourism-related staff.
In a letter addressed to the Airport Director, the Member of Parliament added that every day a large number of Tourists land at Veer Savarkar International Airport and during the peak tourist season the number of tourists goes up to several thousand per day.
He added that to pick up the arriving guests, a large number of local youth who work as Drivers and other support staff of Tourism Agencies have to wait at the arrival gate for a long time. Often in case of flight delays, the driver and other support staff wait for even longer hours.
MP mentioned that as tourism is generating huge employment, a large number of youths are buying Tourist vehicles and joining tourism agencies as Drivers and other Support Staff.
MP informed that at the arrival section of the airport no seating arrangement has been made for the drivers and other support staff of the tourism industry.
MP also pointed out that no dedicated toilet block or drinking water arrangement has been made for divers and other support staff of the tourism industry due to which they face inconvenience everyday.
MP mentioned that drivers and other support staff sitting on the ground near the arrival has become a common sight. He added that it gives a wrong impression about the Islands to the visiting tourists and makes the drivers/support staff upset.