Pune airport is preparing to implement a time-regulated system for private vehicles collecting passengers, aiming to alleviate chronic congestion in the arrivals zone. The initiative, expected by March, will limit the duration each vehicle can occupy the pickup area, with fines for overstays. Officials describe the move as a key step to streamline urban mobility around the city’s growing air hub.
The airport currently handles roughly 17,500 arrivals daily, alongside 11,000–12,000 private vehicles and 5,000–6,000 commercial vehicles entering for pickups and drop-offs. The high volume, particularly in evenings, often leads to bottlenecks that spill onto access roads, affecting overall traffic circulation. A senior airport official noted that recording entry and exit times for vehicles will create accountability, potentially reducing unnecessary congestion at peak hours.
Urban planners and transport analysts emphasise that airport traffic is a microcosm of broader city mobility challenges. Without coordinated management, local roads suffer from encroachments and double-parking, slowing both public transport and emergency vehicle movement. Introducing a fixed window for vehicle pick-ups aligns with people-first urban strategies, prioritising efficient circulation while reducing carbon-intensive idling near terminals. Commercial vehicle pickups, restricted to designated areas like the AeroMall, currently operate on a demand-based call system. Experts suggest that better integration of private vehicle timing with these zones could improve spatial efficiency, allowing cabs and shared transport services to operate without conflict. Analysts also highlight the importance of police or traffic authority coordination, particularly during evening hours, to ensure enforcement and prevent spillover onto adjacent streets.
From an economic perspective, streamlined airport access enhances the city’s business connectivity. Reduced delays benefit travellers, logistics providers, and airport-dependent enterprises, while lower congestion contributes to reduced fuel consumption and emissions a modest but relevant step towards climate-resilient urban transport. Urban mobility researchers note that timed entry systems are increasingly used globally in airports with limited space, balancing operational capacity with civic convenience. Moving forward, the airport authority plans to monitor compliance closely and adjust timings if congestion persists. The initiative underscores the growing necessity for integrated infrastructure solutions that link terminal design, traffic management, and urban policy, ensuring that Pune’s air transport network can expand sustainably alongside the city’s economic growth.
