Updated May 22nd, 2022 at 16:32 IST
Ricky Kej posts video of 'pathetic immigration state' at Bengaluru Airport; sparks debate
Indian music composer Ricky Kej bore witness to the chaos that prevailed at the immigration unit of the Bengaluru International Airport on Sunday.
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Back from Cannes Film Festival, Indian music composer Ricky Kej bore witness to the chaos that prevailed at the immigration unit of the Bengaluru International Airport on Sunday. Taking to the microblogging site, Twitter, at 3:37 a.m, the two-time Grammy-winner, shared a video highlighting the 'pathetic' state of affairs. The musician claimed that he had been standing for over an hour, with more than 1000 people in the queue. The environmentalist further claimed that all counters were not operational, and the staff looked 'clueless'. "Why have so many flights, when there is no capacity?" he asked, tagging the Bengaluru international airport.
'How will we build brand India?'
Kej cast apprehensions on how the 'Brand India' will be built if this is the type of welcome that everyone gets at the airports. "The first impression of India for foreign travellers," the Indian composer said, moving on to list the number of steps to India via Bengaluru- comprising, 1) Air Suvidha check 2) Immigration 3) Check if immigration stamp is accurate (Not joking, this is another line) 4) Baggage screening -Customs 5) Collecting bags 6) Customs may do the additional screening. "STEPS can be reduced!" he said in the tweet.
Number of lines to enter Bengaluru, India @BLRAirport
— Ricky Kej (@rickykej)
1) Air Suvidha check
2) Immigration
3) Check if immigration stamp is accurate (Not joking, this is another line)
4) Baggage screening -Customs
5) Collecting bags
6) Customs may do additional screening
STEPS can be reduced!
'Operation Team looking into it on priority'
After the environmentalist put up the tweet, the Bengaluru International Airport quickly responded. In the response on the Twitter handle, the Airport said, "Hello, thank you for writing to us. Your feedback has been highlighted to our operations team to look into on priority."
Hello, thank you for writing to us. Your feedback has been highlighted to our operations team to look into on priority.
— BLR Airport (@BLRAirport)
Meanwhile, the netizens too came forward to share their experiences. While some disagreed with the musician and detailed their own good time at the other airport, others agreed and called for amendments. Here are a few reactions:
It was a smooth ride for me in my 4 international travels in the last 4 months, except once where I was interrogated for a short trip.
— Mansi Khanderia (@Geeky_Foodie)
Also immigration is a chaotic affair in practically all countries when multiple flights land together on an odd day because of delays.
It is high time to reopen the HAL airport. @HALHQBLR
— Ved Varma (@vedvarma)
The old airport will make life easier. Will be good for BLR to have 2 functional airports.
I had the same experience when I landed on 20th April last month at 2.30 am. Same number of people, also the air was not enough. Everyone was sweating and the children were falling asleep. I hope they do something about it.
— Sulochana (@Sulocha95784823)
Unusually busy day i presume, there is a rush at times which I hope will ease up with the new terminal.
— AnimalLivesMatter (@twihemant)
Faced a couple of emergencies in the last few months and the customer relations people have been extremely helpful. @BLRAirport kindly do thank them for me.
True, I arrived at 2.20 and thought immigration would be atleast a couple of hours. Was done by 3.00 since I was traveling alone, made WA calls to family back in US had samosa chaat and coffee and took a cab at 4 am.
— Simplysahaan (@simplysahaan)
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Published May 22nd, 2022 at 16:32 IST