Reopening of shut exit gate, frequent trolley retrieval to end airport chaos
Times of India | 6 August 2025
Kolkata: Reopening an exit gate at the terminal's arrival level, deploying more policemen to regulate traffic, and more frequent retrieval of luggage trolleys to keep the carriageway free — the Bidhannagar Traffic Police and the Kolkata airport have embarked on a joint initiative to eliminate the chaos, clear logjam, streamline traffic movement, and improve the first impression of travellers landing in the city.
According to the proposal, a significant portion of the congestion stems from a combination of high passenger volume, delays in vehicle movement and inadequate pedestrian management at the airport's integrated terminal. The police and the airport authorities have identified three key trouble spots — the arrival gate area, the commercial vehicle line and the parking lot's exit gate. "The arrival gate at 2A/B was shut since the pandemic. It was not an issue in the first few years, but with the passenger count increasing to pre-Covid levels, it is becoming very difficult to manage the passenger load with just one gate, that too at the start of the terminal building where passengers come out and crowd near the gate," said a Bidhannagar City Police officer.
The airport authorities, which so far cited a lack of enough CISF personnel to manage the gate, are finally considering reopening the gate. "Opening gate 2A/B for arriving passengers will ease the load on gate 1A/B. A zebra crossing is also recommended near the gate to ensure safe pedestrian movement and facilitate smoother traffic circulation," an officer said. Cops and airport authorities said they were also working on a streamlined approach to managing entry and exit points to minimise waiting time and reduce vehicle pile-ups. The airport authorities are also installing clearer and more prominent signage to help passengers and drivers navigate the terminal area more efficiently, reducing unnecessary halts and confusion. A proposal has also been floated for an overall trolley management overhaul. It suggests designated trolley zones and more frequent collection, along with awareness campaigns to curb the issue of abandoned trolleys causing obstructions. "Passengers coming out of the airport often leave their trolleys on the side of the road while they board their cars or app cabs. These trolleys are usually collected after half an hour, but during rush hours, it also leads to traffic congestion as the trolleys block the pathway. The current proposal states faster retrieval of trolleys from this area at a gap of 10 minutes," said another officer. Alternative exit routes, faster parking formalities, and directional signage are also among other suggested improvements to reduce delays in the parking lot. "A public address system will be introduced in the parking lot to relay real-time traffic and parking information to motorists. That is also likely to cut down on traffic chaos outside the airport terminal," said the officer.