Pune airport to fine vehicles Rs 500 for halting over 15 minutes from December

Drivers who come to pick up or drop passengers at Pune airport will face a strict rule from December. A vehicle staying inside the premises for more than 15 minutes will be fined Rs 500. The airport administration is preparing to enforce this time-limited entry system strictly after a month-long awareness campaign.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed across the airport to enforce the rule. The cameras will capture vehicle registration numbers and record the time of entry and exit. A vehicle that overstays will not be allowed to leave until it pays the Rs 500 fine.

Y S Rajput, vice president of AeroMall, said that through November, drivers will only be given warnings and no fine will be imposed during the awareness period. By next week, two screens will also be installed in the departure area, showing pictures of vehicles that stay beyond the allowed time.

According to officials, the move aims to reduce congestion caused by vehicles halting for long periods in the arrival and departure areas. Many vehicles stand on the roads near the terminal while passengers complete check-in and security formalities, or while waiting for incoming flights to land.

Rajput said 15 minutes is enough to pick up and drop passengers. He appealed to those who have to wait longer to use AeroMall's designated parking facility.

About 15,000 passengers arrive at Pune airport every day and about 15,000 depart. Queues of private vehicles often form on Airport Road and New Airport Road, especially during the evening rush hours.

Meanwhile, regular air travellers have demanded that the rule be applied equally to all, including vehicles with government registration plates. They allege that such vehicles often stay parked near the terminal for long periods.