VIPs occupy airport emergency lane again

NAGPUR: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis recently tweeted he did not believe in VIP culture and police should not trouble people unless there was a real emergency. This principle is observed more in breach at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur where VIPs’ convenience comes before security.
The emergency lane supposed to be used only in times of crisis has now become a place where several minor and major VIPs regularly park their vehicles.The practice extends to even government and defence officials. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the airport, remains helpless as the area comes under local police who shiver in their pants on seeing a VIP vehicle.
The emergency lane is separated from the lane that regular passengers use only by a barricade. This lane, closer to the departure gate, was earlier used as VVIP lane. After 2013, the status was changed to emergency lane. This meant it was only to be used in time of crisis for moving fire brigades, ambulances or security vehicles. The notification on change came with certain exceptions allowing VIPs with Z-plus security cover or others deemed necessary by the police.
The lane can thus be used state’s chief minister or governor. In reality, remains open for even people like MLAs, senior government officers to even supporters rallying behind politicians, said a source in airport.
TOI visited the airport on Wednesday to get a first hand view. It coincided with the chief minister reaching the airport to catch a flight to Mumbai, followed by a host of MLAs. As Fadnavis used the emergency lane, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Sudhakar Deshmukh and Vikas Kumbhare were seen jumping the queue.
Even as others entered through the regular lane, Deshmukh, who reached early, was seen helping other politicians jump the queue. When contacted, Khopde said they were just trying to get the boarding passes that Deshmukh had secured from them. Soon BJP MLA from Hingna Sameer Meghe entered the emergency lane with his vehicle without being stopped.
Meghe said normally he avoided using that lane but on Wednesday he happened to be in a hurry. A week ago Congress MLA Sunil Kedar’s vehicle was seen in the lane. He could not be contacted for comment.
Airport sources say petty netas using the lane hampered managing the passengers by CISF personnel posted there. Passengers’ queue that passes through the emergency lane is disrupted every time a vehicle enters, clogging the whole area. The VIPs have to enter the airport through the same departure gate as everyone else, so it is a mere status symbol to use the emergency lane, said a source.
CM’s vehicle also remains parked in the lane until he takes off. It was part of the security protocol, said the source.
VIP culture rises again
* The lane close to departure gate is meant for emergency vehicles only
* The earlier VVIP lane was changed to emergency lane in 2013
* Persons with Z-plus security and others can use it according to threat perception
* The lane is used by petty netas and government officers
* CISF is helpless as area is under local police