New Delhi, March 9: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Monday urged the Union government to expand the UDAN Passenger Cafe initiative to over 150 airports across the country. Addressing the House, the lawmaker stated that while the current scheme offers much-needed relief from high airport food prices, its limited reach and placement hinder its effectiveness for the average traveler.
The MP noted that although India has more than 150 operational airports, the affordable cafes—which serve tea for 10 and snacks for 20—are currently available at only about a dozen locations. He affirmed that for the scheme to be truly inclusive, it must be implemented at every airport.
“The prices of food items at airports are often very high, making it difficult for common passengers to buy even a simple snack during their journey,” Chadha stated. He maintained that while the initiative is a commendable step toward making air travel accessible, its current scale remains insufficient.
A primary concern raised by the MP was the location of these stalls. Chadha asserted that many existing cafes are situated before check-in and security areas, where their utility is diminished because passengers can still access external food options. He declared that the real need for affordable catering arises in the departure holding areas.
“The real need for affordable food is when passengers reach the departure hold area after completing security checks,” Chadha affirmed. “Here, passengers often have to wait for a long time and require accessible food and drink facilities.”
The MP also pointed out that existing counters often face long queues and limited menu options during peak hours. He urged the government to increase capacity and ensure these cafes are strategically placed within boarding zones to better serve the traveling public.
