NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha welcomed the inauguration of the second franchise of the ‘Udaan Yatri Cafe’ at Chennai Airport, describing it as a commendable step. He also reiterated his dedication to championing public interest issues.
To tackle the problem of excessively priced food and beverages at airports, the ministry of civil aviation has initiated the establishment of the ‘Udaan Yatri Cafe’ for travelers. The first cafe was launched at Kolkata airport, and the second has now opened at Chennai airport.
In a post on X, Raghav Chadha expressed gratitude to the government for heeding his calls for more affordable food and drinks at airports. He stated, “A small spark can illuminate the darkest skies… First Kolkata, now Chennai! Delighted to see the establishment of affordable food canteens at airports. Thankful to everyone who backed my plea for reasonably priced food and beverages at airports. Congratulations to each of you — every contribution counts toward creating a significant impact. I will continue to advocate for issues affecting the public. Please keep sending me your suggestions…”
During the winter session of Parliament, the AAP MP raised concerns regarding the high cost of food and drinks at airports during discussions. He criticized the sky-high prices of water, tea, and snacks at these locations. “A bottle of water is priced at Rs 100, and tea ranges from Rs 200-250. Why can’t the government implement affordable canteens at airports?” he questioned. Chadha also condemned the inadequate management of airports, comparing them to bus stations due to long queues, overcrowding, and disarray.
While debating the Indian Aviation Bill 2024, Chadha remarked, “The government made a promise that even people in slippers would be able to fly, but now even those with Bata shoes find air travel unaffordable.” He pointed out a significant increase in airfares over the past year, which has imposed a burden on the common man. For example, fares for the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Patna routes now vary between Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,500. He compared costs, stating, “A ticket to the Maldives is priced at Rs 17,000, but a ticket to Lakshadweep, which the government is promoting as a tourist spot, costs Rs 25,000.”
