Kolkata: The cleanliness at Kolkata's airport has witnessed a remarkable and visible improvement over the past two weeks. Washrooms in the departure terminal, which were previously plagued by persistent stench and stains, are now being maintained to a much higher standard. This change has not gone unnoticed by passengers, who have taken to social media to express their satisfaction. Complaints about dirty toilets and unclean areas in the terminal have dropped dramatically, reflecting a significant shift in the airport's hygiene standards.
Background of the Problem
For a long time, passengers traveling through Kolkata airport had been complaining about the poor state of cleanliness, especially in the washrooms. The situation had become so routine that it was a common topic of discussion among frequent flyers. However, the turnaround came after the termination of nine contractual housekeeping staff members. These individuals were accused of barely working and fostering a poor work culture that hindered the efforts of the cleaning agency.
Role of the Housekeeping Agency
Rakshak Securitas, the agency responsible for housekeeping in the departure area where passengers typically spend an average of 1.5 hours, played a key role in this transformation. According to the agency's General Manager, Vinit Kumar, the improvement was made possible due to clear messaging from the new state government to the airport operator. The government assured that there would be no political interference in the management and operations of the airport. This assurance empowered the agency to take strict disciplinary actions.
“We were able to act due to support from airport officials, the airport director, in particular. It was possible because the new state government had sent an unambiguous message that there would be no political interference in the management and functioning of the airport. Following this, we sacked nine trouble-makers. Thereafter, everything fell into place,” said Kumar.
Impact of Disciplinary Action
With the removal of political interference, supervision at the airport tightened immediately. Staff attendance and shift discipline saw a marked improvement. Workers are now adhering to eight-hour shifts instead of leaving after just three to four hours, as was previously common. The long-delayed biometric system, which had faced opposition and disruptions, is now being enforced without any hindrance. This has helped in ensuring that all staff members are present and working during their designated hours.
Visible Changes on the Ground
The impact of these measures is clearly visible on the ground. Floors are cleaner, passenger complaints have dropped sharply, and washrooms are being maintained more consistently despite the heavy daily usage. The agency emphasized that this turnaround did not require new manpower, chemicals, or equipment. Instead, it was achieved through proper deployment and accountability. Ten cleaning machines, including floor sweepers, granite polishing machines, and handheld toilet cleaners, were already available but are now being used effectively rather than perfunctorily.
Continued Support and Future Outlook
Support from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has continued, and the assurance of no political interference has enabled routine management decisions—such as reassignment, discipline, and uniform compliance—to be implemented without fear of pushback. Officials say that the result is a functioning chain of responsibility where housekeeping staff follow training in practice, supervisors can enforce standards, and passengers can finally see and smell the difference.
“When we took up the job, we intended to make a difference. But our attempts were time and again frustrated. We have around 250 employees and 4-5 supervisors. But we were unable to function due to a few employees who were a bad influence on others. The biggest threat to an employer is when the employee who you pay does not listen to you or does not work. That is what we had encountered here. That has finally changed. Now, we are finally able to perform the way we wanted to,” said Kumar.
The transformation at Kolkata airport serves as a testament to the importance of accountability and the elimination of political interference in public services. Passengers can now look forward to a cleaner and more pleasant experience at the airport.
