Congress MP and Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Monday raised concerns in Parliament about the difficulties faced by passengers at airports across the country in recent days. He asked the Government to explain why passengers, including patients who travel for medical reasons, were facing delays and inconvenience at airports.
Speaking during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation should inform the people of India about the reasons behind the continuing problems. He pointed out that many passengers have complained about long waiting time, cancelled flights and repeated delays at several major airports.
Gogoi said that passengers who are on dialysis or require urgent medical travel have reported serious trouble in reaching hospitals on time due to repeated disruption of flights. “This has happened, Hon’ble Chairperson, we will request the Government through you that the Ministry of Civil Aviation should inform the country through this House why, for so many days, at airports across the country, our passengers — including those who are on dialysis — are facing difficulties,” he said.
The Congress leader also recalled earlier statements assuring that air travel would become affordable for common people. He said that people were earlier told that anyone wearing slippers could travel by air, but now ticket prices have gone up sharply, making travel difficult for many families. He questioned the Government regarding what steps were being taken to control rising airfares.
Gogoi said that the Government must answer why the situation has continued for days and what measures are being taken to ease the difficulties of passengers. He also asked for a clear statement from the Ministry inside the House instead of social media statements or short replies.