After enduring over a decade of frantic searches and long walks, passengers arriving at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport are finally getting a much-needed relief. The airport authorities are set to rectify a major design flaw that has plagued the integrated terminal since its inception: the complete absence of restrooms on the upper arrival level.
A Long-Awaited Solution for a Persistent Problem
The integrated terminal, which was inaugurated in January 2013 and became fully operational in March of that year, has faced consistent criticism for this oversight. For twelve years, arriving passengers stepping off the aircraft via aerobridges at gates 14 to 25 found themselves in a corridor with no toilet facilities in sight. Those in urgent need had to undertake a lengthy trek to the lower arrival level, navigating past the entire length of the luggage conveyor belts.
This mismatch between basic necessity and available convenience has been a significant sore point. The situation is exacerbated by the common airline practice of restricting access to aircraft lavatories roughly 20 minutes before landing. "After a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Delhi, those last 15 minutes feel endless," shared frequent flyer Dwaipayan Roy, echoing the sentiment of many.
Construction Progress and New Facilities
Airport officials have confirmed that the renovation work is now in full swing. The first of three new toilet blocks on the upper arrival concourse is nearly complete and is scheduled to be opened for public use within this month. This block will include separate facilities for women, men, and disabled passengers.
Authorities report that approximately 90% of the work on this first block is finished. The remaining two blocks are also under construction, with about 65% of the work completed, and are expected to be ready by March. Once all three are functional, they will directly serve passengers from the 11 arrival gates on the upper floor.
In addition to the upper-level solution, five more toilet blocks will be established on the lower arrival level to further ease congestion and improve overall passenger experience.
Passenger Relief and Ongoing Upgrades
The news has been met with enthusiasm from the flying public. A frequent flyer noted, "At present, restrooms seem to take an eternity to locate for those in urgent need. The new toilets will be a boon. They should have come up much earlier." The absence of facilities often led to chaotic scenes, with passengers, including the elderly and those with children, rushing through corridors asking, "toilet kothay?" (Where is the toilet?).
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the airport to enhance sanitation standards. Alongside building new restrooms, the airport is also comprehensively revamping existing toilets. This involves demolishing old units and constructing fresh ones with new tiles, sanitary ware, and fixtures, followed by a regimen of deep cleaning at regular intervals to address issues of stench and stains.
The move finally addresses a critical gap in passenger amenity at one of India's major metro airports, promising a more comfortable and dignified arrival experience for all.
