Bangalore:
In a first of its kind, the consumer forum has slapped a fine on Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) for maintaining poor amenities for passengers in the airport, while directing it to show improvement within 30 days.
Hearing a petition of S N Subramanya (80), Bangalore Rural District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum issued directives to BIAL to improve seating arrangements in the international arrival hall and introduce a proper system so that passengers can get proper updates from the information centre on time.
While fixing a time line of 30 days from April 13, the forum has directed BIAL to submit a compliance report within 45 days from the scheduled date.
The forum has also directed BIAL to pay for the cost of litigation, while compensating for mental agony the petitioner undergone.
"Our legal cell has just received a copy of the order. Let us study the order before updating and deciding what steps should be taken," said Anjana Kher Marray, spokesperson of the BIAL.
Subramanya, a retired employee of ITI, is suffering from Parkinson disease and other old-age ailments. He was at the BIAL at 12.45 pm on November 12, 2010 to receive his son-in-law and son, who were arriving from the US on a visit. The flight was delayed till 2.15 am and he was forced to sit on the cold floor since there were no unoccupied seats at the arrival hall.
During his wait, he approached the information centre, but was unable to get proper information, because the person there did not know much, other than arrival and departure time of flights.
As a result of sitting on the cold floor and due to his frail health, his ailments were aggravated. He petitioned the consumer forum that heard the case and pronounced the verdict on 13 April.
Interestingly, Akshay Ram Apte, a lawyer and manager (Legal) at the BIAL, argued that while several passengers were using the airport, none have come up with such complaints. The juries quipped they had also suffered with the same problems in the airport, but normally people won't have the patience and resolve as Subramanya has "and therefore we must appreciate his fighting spirit at his age."
"Patience and a tireless fighting spirit are required for this type of struggle to achieve success," Subramanya said.
"I am worried that most youngsters are not interested in these sorts of issues. It was good to see young people taking part in Anna Hazare's movement, but it must not be a short-lived euphoria. The sprit must be evident in their relentless fight against corruption in day-to-day life, even with small issues like the one with BIAL," he added.
The court has bunched several petitions into one, and closed the hearings on March 15, 2010, and judgment is reserved.