| Raima sen turns Metro reporter for a day. her beat? the new airport |
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| Raima Sen enters the new terminal to catch the Jet Airways flight to Bangkok on Sunday night. Picture by Pabitra Das |
[FLIGHT TO CATCH: 9W 066 11MAR CCU-BKK 0130]
Signage and approach road
It was a very clear and easy passage to the airport. Thanks to the dedicated flyover, there’s no more worrying about last-minute traffic snarls caused by cars, buses and taxis not bound for the airport fighting to pass through the same route.
First look of the airport facade
(Leaning out of the car window on the flyover) So beautiful, so sleek! I’ve just come back from Dubai and while this is not anywhere as big as the Dubai airport, it definitely looks as good as any international airport that I’ve been to in India and abroad. I wonder who’s designed it? The facade is beautifully done. The glass and gloss, the shine and sheen…. In fact, I think it looks better than the Bombay airport. It feels like I could be anywhere in the world.
[The domestic portion is designed by ADPI of France and Sikka Associates, India, while the international section is by Strata of Hong Kong and VK Associates, India. The structural design of the building is by Mehro, Delhi.]
The Bong connection
(Looks up at the ceiling above the international departure gates and is struck by the Bengali alphabet that adorns the ceilings) Wow! That’s such a cool idea… it gives you a feel of the city and its rich heritage of language and literature. Very impressive! It looks very spick and span till now. (Stepping in) It’s so large and spacious…
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Clean-it machines and mops
As we walked in, I noticed cleaners either rubbing the floors with automated machines or hard at work with their little brushes and mops. That was a pleasant sight because the previous airport wore such a shabby look. Here passengers are prompted to be conscious before they think of littering the place. A lot of thought seems to have gone into the waste disposal arrangements, unlike the previous airport, with designated biodegradable waste sections.
The toilet test
It’s a nice and big loo but I would like to see someone here at all times to keep a check on the hygiene. Lots of wash basins and lots of compartments within the toilet, which is a good thing. People don’t want to stand and wait in a queue when they’re in a rush to catch a flight. And, jostle around in a loo that stinks or is dirty. I hope they make sure there is enough soap in the dispensers, sufficient tissues and the flushes continue to work.
I’m also glad to see drinking water basins alongside the toilets. These are essential but were missing from the old airport and I’m glad that they’ve paid attention to install these and planted signages to help you easily locate them.
Unfortunately, the ladies’ toilet after immigration could do with some immediate attention because the floors were wet, the two wash basins didn’t have water in any of the taps and one of the lights in the two compartments wasn’t working. I hope this will not turn out to be a spoiler in the future.
Looks & sounds good, but damn that mosquito
I like the light shades on the walls. The music, soft and instrumental, is quite soothing.
But I’ve never had to face mosquitoes in any airport that I’ve travelled to around the world. This was a problem I faced in the old airport and I find this problem persists here. I spoke to one of the airport managers and he explained that the area has been fumigated and work is still on but they should probably do that more frequently to completely remove the mosquito menace.
Lounge about
The Port Lounge is huge and beautiful. A variety of things to eat and drink from fruit cake and gulab jamun to chilli chicken and vegetable makhani to a selection of juices, that’s great. (Yes, I’m a foodie!)
Smiley faces to sniffer dogs
I could spot two help desks, which is a good thing. I guess they’re still waiting to fill the seats with personnel. Once it’s operational, it will be very useful for first-time passengers at the new terminal.
I didn’t know where the money exchanger was so I had to ask and the staff seemed eager to help. It was good to see so many happy, smiley faces. I guess that reflects the general mood that the new airport has brought in and it is definitely generating a positive vibe among the passengers. But I hope this happy atmosphere continues as passengers and airlines increase.
I see a lot of men in khaki and sniffer dogs, which means they’re taking good care of the security. This is a larger airport and I guess security has to be tighter.
| Raima sen turns Metro reporter for a day. her beat? the new airport |
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| Raima Sen exits the new terminal after arriving from Bangkok by a Jet Airways flight on Monday afternoon. Picture by Pabitra Das |
Checkpoint to checkpoint
There seem to be quite a few check-in counters. Hopefully this will prevent those long queues and the need to stand for hours to get a boarding pass. The counters are well spaced out and not confusing.
Even though the airport is big, the distances aren’t much. The check-in counter to the security check was quite close and from the immigration to the gates, we really didn’t need to walk a lot. I’m glad to see walkalators connecting the gates. I wish these were operational so I could have hopped over and skipped the walk, though I was enjoying that too! The gates are digitally numbered, plenty of flight departure display monitors ensure you are aware of your flight status no matter where you’re sitting or standing.
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| Raima strides into the new terminal on Sunday night |
Fun munch
I spotted a Cafe Coffee Day on entering the airport, which is yet to open, and a snack outlet after immigration that was nice and well-stocked with Pringles and Mars to sandwiches and patties. Sometimes if I was in the mood for a light snack I could never find quality stuff at the old airport but I was quite impressed to see this little corner here.
Duty-free
The racks are empty except for a selection of alcohol, but from the look of it, the arrangement is like what I’ve seen at other airports. I hope they fill it up soon with interesting things for which one wouldn’t need to depend on other national and international duty-free shops.
Wait and watch the runway
The seating space looks neat and smart. It’s nice to sit, wait and watch the flights take off through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, it really gives you the feel of an airport. The floors were squeaky clean and they should keep it that way. The little carpeted stretch at the departure gate lends elegance.
No smoking room
I couldn’t spot a smoking zone but all big airports have it and so should the Calcutta airport. A designated area that is neat and segregated gives the airport a professional look.
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| Raima sits pretty in the impressive Port Lounge. Pictures: Mohua Das | Raima finds something good to snack on after clearing immigration |
Out of charge
Everything at this new airport is so passenger-friendly but I couldn’t spot Internet kiosks or phone & laptop charging stations. This is essential now because people are constantly on the move, they’re always on their laptops and phones especially when you’re alone and need to keep yourself engaged (which I so often am). It’s a must-have at all international airports. They could also install Internet kiosks at some of the blank pillars now meant for blowers mounted inside.
Bridge to board
The aerobridge too looks and feels so nice but I don’t know if it’s a great idea to have it all carpeted because there’s already water dripping from the air-conditioning vents above that have left stains at two or three spots. That might become a problem later on.
[FLIGHT TOUCHDOWN: 9W 071 11MAR BKK-CCU 1550]
Short walk
The exit from the aircraft to immigration was a short walk, which is very convenient especially when you have duty-free packets along with your hand baggage. The walk in Bombay is extremely long and can get very inconvenient because I’m holding so many heavy packets, there are no porters and you can’t get hold of a trolley till you get to the luggage belt area. I was dreading that walk here, but was pleasantly surprised.
Easy immigration
There seemed to be more than 10 immigration counters manned by sufficient staff to get the lines moving and ensure quick clearance.
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| Raima on the aerobridge leading to the Jet Airways aircraft bound for Bangkok, the first international flight to leave the new terminal |
Look and feel
I got that international feel. It’s looking empty because there aren’t too many passengers yet. It’s very steel and granite… not too much of decoration. It’s spacious and sprawling, like most international airports are, but maybe some minimal, sober and traditional art and sculpture would add some warmth, give a visitor a feel of Calcutta just like the departure gate does. Also, once the shops and cafes open and they add some duty-free shops like all other international airports, the arrival will look more colourful.
Luggage carousel
The belts were pretty close to each other but I wasn’t sure of which belt my suitcase was going to arrive on. I think that should be specified somewhere. I did ask someone who was there to assist and they seemed to be a bit clueless. It’s a minor thing but it helps prevent confusion. Once I came down the escalator I was impressed to see digital displays designating the belt. There were hundreds of trolleys neatly lined up and easy to find.
Travel assistance
Just after stepping out with the luggage, I was glad to see signage mounted on the pillars pointing to the prepaid taxi booths. It’ll be easier for me to direct my friends who come to the city for the first time and get confused and wander around for information and transport availability. Money exchange, Mega Cab service, prepaid taxi booths are already operational but I wish there were some cops also at the police assistance booth. That apart, I saw a row of counters for Volvo bus, pharmacy, post office and railway booking, which is perfect for any visitor coming through the international airport.
The toilet test
Really big and I could see two attendants who were at work, sweeping the floors and trying to keep it clean, which is a good sign.
See you, soon!
It was a smooth and easy exit. On stepping out, it was nice to see a different view with an interesting looking car park area with trimmed semi-circular steps above where one could spot greens and tiny flowers. Far from the chaos that we had become so used to, the pretty and pleasant surroundings of the new airport set the mood and prepare you for the rest of your stay.
Can’t wait for my next take-off!
Does Raima Sen have what it takes to be a good reporter? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com
