CHENNAI: Starting December 1, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will charge an entry fee of Rs 100 on taxis and other commercial vehicles that enter Chennai airport to pick up travellers.

However, the rule will not be applicable to vehicles which are coming to the airport for dropping the departing passengers. For such vehicles, existing system of 10 minutes free time will continue to be applicable. A fee of Rs 150 will be levied in accordance with the current rules after the free time.

When the new rule comes into force, travellers who land at the airport may find it difficult to book app-taxis like Ola or Uber if the drivers refuse to pay the entry fee of Rs 100. The passengers will have to depend on the airport's licensed cabs services available at the terminal -- Fasttrack, Aviation Express and the black-and-white taxis run by a drivers cooperative society.

In a statement, Chennai airport director Deepak Shastri said, "This is primarily being done to avoid congestion in the airport area besides ensuring passenger safety and to curb tout menace at the airport. Passengers don’t have to pay any extra charges unless and until it is clearly mentioned in the printed receipt/computerised receipt given by the commercial vehicle operator."

The move is to put an end to congestion caused by app-based taxis and other taxis which are often being driven around by drivers looking for customers. Several of these taxis are parked on the GST Road opposite to the airport waiting for bookings through the app. The cars are brought in when they receive a booking from an arriving passenger.

He also said that, "The area in front of arrival terminals always remains congested with all sorts of commercial vehicles driving in and causing traffic confusion. Therefore, this arrangement has been basically proposed to regulate and decongest the forecourt area of the terminals to prevent unauthorised parking for a long period. The taxi drivers can pay this one-time fee of Rs100 and park, instead of driving around looking for customers."

AAI is of the view that the entry fee should be paid by the cab driver or by the cab company and not the passenger.

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