the goan I network
VASCO
A photo of several people asleep at the Dabolim Airport has gone viral on social media, evoking sharp reactions from people across the globe.
While some netizens compared Dabolim airport to a railway station, some others sarcastically claimed this was a new way to promote world-class amenities and facilities at the airport and a new fashion to promote Goa Tourism.
Many have also criticised security agencies like CISF and Dabolim police for failing to clear people away from spending the night at a vital installation like Dabolim Airport.
At Dabolim airport, different theories were provided to explain the presence of a large number of people sleeping at the airport.
An official at Dabolim Airport said those who were caught sleeping were, in fact, passengers who had arrived on a late night flight.
“We have also seen the photo which has gone viral on social media. They were passengers who had arrived in a huge group by a late night flight. We heard that a coach which was to pick them up had not arrived and hence, they were stranded and probably must have slept at the airport,” said the official.
However, another highly placed source claimed that the people sleeping with their mats and clothes at the airport were trying to avoid late-night fares.
“As far as we know, a large group of passengers wanted to go to a destination in the North. They were also looking for cheap transport, but there was no coach or a minivan available and they had to opt for taxis.” “However after 11 pm, taxis apply a 35% night extra charge on the fare and they insisted that the night charge be waived off as they were a large group.”
“However, the taxi operators refused to waive off night charges and someone then advised them that there would be bus service available the next morning.”
“Considering the heavy rains and lack of an alternative cheaper transportation, the passengers chose to spend the night at the airport and possibly slept later in the night,” said the source.
When contacted, a source at the Dabolim police station said a large group of passengers had arrived at Dabolim airport, but there was no bus service available at the airport.
“Half the group was resting inside the airport and since there was lack of space, the other half was outside. These passengers had limited funds and it was sad to see them struggling for space to rest as the children wanted to sleep and there was no bus service at night. They could not
afford taxis at night,” said the police source.
“I think the passengers requested the CISF that the children wanted to sleep, since there was no bus transportation at night. They, however, left early Monday morning in a local bus,” the police
source added.
