Ch*aOS!!
That’s just one word to describe this airport. Being a nation’s capital and having one of the worst airports ever is a dubious distinction the Indira Gandhi international airport enjoys.
To continue from where I left last time in my review on Air India, I now come to the next part of the journey which awaited us at the Delhi International Airport. The moment we landed at Delhi, it took a good 15 minutes for the aerobridge to bless us with its doors. Once inside the aerobridge, what seemed to be like an endless tunnel (it usually is everywhere!), abruptly ended at the end of it. Why? Just because, a few custom officers had apparently forgotten that a flight had landed, and they had to do some customary checks. After a while, we were let into the main corridor which connects numerous aerobridges; that too after making sure that we indeed had flied Air India to Delhi (did they doubt really!).
Anyhow, after this we waited in the corridor to go into the main lounge of the airport for what seemed to be like more than 30 minutes. The reason was that in all probabilities the airport doesn’t even have good staff. After half an hour, a couple of officers, put a table and a chair, brought out paper with a list of people who had flied down and started verifying each one of them before letting them inside the lounge. Talk about computerization!!! Bill gates could have donated some computers at this airport as well! Meanwhile, a couple of other flights had also arrived. And since, all the aerobridges connect to a common corridor, utter mayhem and chaos occurred with people all over the place. Talk about security anyone!
After the ordeal we were allowed to get inside. After yet another security check, we came to the gates which took the domestic flights to all over India. We wanted to travel to Ahmedabad, and thus knew that we were supposed to wait at gate 10. However, we didn’t find any sign of gate 10 there. On questioning a dis-interested security guard, he informed us that our flight had still to come, and asked us to relax. (we forgot IST!). After 15 minutes or so, another security guard came over and shouted for us. When enquired he informed us that our flight was ready to leave, and we should have been on it 15 minutes ago!!!!! Talk about mis-information or carelessness anyone!
The facilities in the airport are hopeless. I mean, even a B-grade movie theater in India would probably have better Restrooms! Stinking, and probably cleaned once in a year, I don’t think any one actually visits them! The seats and the couches are old, and look as if they exist from the British era. By comparison Mumbai’s International Airport is truly majestic and superbly organized, as well as well maintained.
Its such a shame really, that our nation’s capital has such a horrible airport. Its about time Mr. Vajpayee thought about the revamping the airport than spending money on buying a plane for himself and his bunch of dogs, cats, rats and the rest.
Till then, take my word. If you can, fly to MUMBAI!