International Airports in India

This year has been a year to go around towns and cities for personal / business trips. I believe, Amit and I are a little too hooked to air travel and hence prefer that for personal trips even if it is expensive. Old habits don't go away easily !!

First airport that I used was to HAL Airport, Bangalore. A typical old time airport that needed a make-over! Nothing more to write here (and now not relevant either since it is closed down for civil operations).

The next one was Pune Airport. This is small and cramped one. It stands by its "military aiport" status. Though there are a couple of international flights operating from this airport (and many more starting soon), Pune airport lacks the infrastructure to handle the operations on passenger front. Guess it is the same for flight operations.

The third one I went to was Nagpur airport. While being positioned as a cargo hub, this needs to move faster towards completion. Construction was on at all places, no arrangements for security of passengers and other people on the airport. On a positive note, it is very neat just like the city. Since there are not many flights coming and going, all formalities are quick and smooth. Hope it remains this way even after there is an increase in the traffic.

From Nagpur, I traveled over to the Shamsabad Airport in Hyderabad - an artistically built airport giving a good first-impression. However, the impression did not remain all that good once we entered in. A huge check-in hall followed by failed security check equipment, followed by good waiting hall and walk-way that led to a departure hall that was incomplete, leaking water (from god-knows-where!!). Since I was there on its first day of operations, I would discount these unpleasant scenes as starting-blues and hope it is now all set. Any reviews?

Mumbai airport is one of the best that I've been to so far. It is small (for the crowd that comes there) but beautiful. It has a hell lot of crowd but is managed well. There is construction going on but security of the people taken care of.

And returning from a business trip, I landed on the Bengaluru International Airport. Considering the urge to start it asap and the push to open without connectivity to the city ready, I was hoping it to a fantastic one (what a fool I was !). It turned out to be just better than HAL Airport ! The arrival lounge is too cramped, no improvement at immigration counters except that there were more counters (though closed). Baggage handling was bad and worst were the rest rooms! What an impression we give to tourists! Keeping my optimism on, I was hoping that this was just another case of teething trouble (I landed on this airport on the day it became operational) and things would line up for better soon. But alas, situation is still the same.

When I started this post (it has taken me almost 6 months to complete this one), I was wondering if our airports can get better. But now I think, is it worth traveling by air given the increased cost?

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Out Pune - In Bangalore

It has been long that I wrote anything. My friend asked to read his blogs and write. It is today that my thoughts are clear enough to flow out easily and the afternoon is lazy to refrain me from preparing for the upcoming workshop.

Days have changed since I've come to this city. There came one day in my life which changed my status bringing loads of responsibilities and work (though it was not unplanned or sudden but the whole lot of preparation seemed to be in vain when this actually happened!).

This day also put me on move and changed my "location" to Bangalore. The fun in all this is that Bangalore is going no near to being our permanent residence ! It is just a place to touchbase with my hubby ! Asking me why?? Well... That's because this "one day" changed my work profile putting me literally on my toes. I move around the world (currently restricting my world to India !! ) wandering with my backpack. The most unfortunate thing here is I and my hubby have missed the timings ! He got into this relationship to keep his bags down and sit back .... not knowing that I would be so quick to pick those and get going !! I say we missed the timings as we weren't into a relationship to walk around the globe together.

So we now catch up with each other at Bangalore for a few cups of tea and a couple of dinners. Our dining table has witnessed our arguments over shifting this base to Pune and is waiting for a decision !!

Dont know how soon this decision will come or will it ever come. But our discussions and arguments will continue ... at least till we find something else to argue on !

Let me prepare myself for my next date with these arguments... I say Bangalore is similar to Pune in many ways and we neednt worry about moving out of this "City of Gardens". (This by no way means I would not like to be back in Pune but being the "Home Minister" I need to be practical.. hence this effort to get my husband agree to my point !) So here I go...

Both these cities are known for pleasant weathers. It is neither too hot nor too cold. It does not rain heavily at either places. (Please ignore last year's heavy rains ... this happens once in a while .. not always!!)

Infrastructurally, both are racing ahead. The state of roads is same in both cities. Pune doesnt have roads.. Bangalore has good main roads but equally pathetic connecting roads. The traffic is over-sized and mannerless in driving in both the cities. Property rates are at the same level now. Airports are smaller than needed and still take much heavier loads in both the cities. Commuting is a common thread again. Both municipal corporations race for the "Silicon Valley of India" title !

Kannadigas are as helpful as Punekars and same is observed with Bangaloreans and Puneites. Friends are closer in both Pune & Bangalore and in equal loads!

Huh... hope this suffices for dinner tonight... many more can be thought till the next meeting !!