New Delhi:

The government has responded to hundreds of posts on social media complaining about severe congestion at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). First, line managers have been aggressively reminding passengers to have their ID and boarding passes ready for inspection and directing them to keep lines as short as possible, officials said.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia met officials yesterday regarding airport congestion complaints and discussed steps to resolve the problem.

Airport staff were seen today asking passengers to keep their ID and boarding passes in hand ahead of time for faster screening and movement.

In addition, the airport posted messages on social media to inform people how to check in faster, and posted signs at the beginning of the line to ensure order.

Signage at airports instructs people on how to check in faster

Hundreds of people tweeted photos and videos showing long queues and heavy congestion at Delhi airport. Some, mainly frequent flyers, claim they have been experiencing chaotic scenes at Delhi airport over the past few months and that this is not a recent problem.

“As usual there is chaos at the entrance to Delhi Airport. CISF makes sure it takes you 15-20 minutes to get into the terminal at 7.15am. What happened at immigration/security? Well let’s see, But I don’t think it’s going to be easy,” auto journalist Ishan Raghava tweeted this morning.

confusion in @derryairport continue. After 50 minutes of immigration, now in the security queue. Already spent 1 hour and 15 minutes trying to get through the terminal.very good @JM_Scindia@AAI_officialpic.twitter.com/hShd56aYJ9

— Ishan Rahava (@iraghava) December 8, 2022

“Chaos at Delhi airport continues. After 50 minutes of immigration, now in security queue. Already spent 1 hour and 15 minutes trying to get through the terminal…” Mr Raghav tweeted, tagging people including The authorities, including Mr. Scindia.

Security at Delhi Airport is handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Foot traffic is also high because around New Years is a busy season when people go on vacation.

“There is no queuing discipline at Delhi Airport. Nobody here cares or helps organize a smooth flow of passengers. Airlines should advise passengers to arrive 4 hours before domestic flights. Panic and anxiety are on everyone’s face,” said one A passenger named Shivam Kamani tweeted.

“We’ve been queuing for almost an hour and still no respite… CISF needs more counters and GMR Delhi Airport is in worse shape than ISBT. At least 100 people will miss their flight today,” another Passenger Kit Walkar, tweeted, referring to the Interstate Bus Terminal, or ISBT.

Honey @JM_Scindia We’ve been in line for almost an hour and still no breather…
CISF needs more counters and GMR Delhi Airport is getting worse than ISBT. At least 100 people will miss their flight today… @PMOIndiapic.twitter.com/jkzn7N5svW

— Kit Walker (@pegasus191) December 6, 2022

Later in the evening, some passengers tweeted that the situation appeared to have improved as airport staff were seen interacting with passengers to ensure queue discipline.

Businessman Kunal Bahl tweeted: “Delhi airport results within a day after the whip broke. Shorter lines. Faster throughput. Happier travellers.”

Following yesterday’s meeting, Mr Scindia tweeted about the measures they would be taking to ease congestion at the airport.

Outlined the following initiatives –

1. Capacity planning during peak hours – based on the passenger handling capacity of major airports

2. Landing cards will be distributed prior to boarding and filled out prior to arrival to minimize queues at immigration counters.

2/3

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 7, 2022

Mr Sindia tweeted: “Had detailed discussions with the heads of all major airports in India… as well as immigration officials on the capabilities deployed and required to smoothly process domestic and international passengers during peak tourist season.”