Now, ex-CMs, VIPs can’t be driven to plane in own car at home state airports
Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: Former chief ministers and many other VIPs will no longer be allowed to drive right upto aircraft at airports in their home states, in their own vehicles. The aviation ministry has decided that “tarmac access” to such have beens will neither be open-ended, meaning the permission will come with an up to date, nor be allowed in their own cars and they will have to use airport ferry vehicles.
The decision comes seven months after the ministry withdrew former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav and wife Rabri Devi’s permission to drive up to the tarmac in their own car — right next to the step ladder of aircraft — while they fly in and out of Patna.
The ministry realised two things that the permission given to the Yadav couple in 2009 was open-ended and driving right upto the vehicle in their own car meant boarding aircraft with bags that were able to dodge security checks.
These loopholes have now been removed to ensure misuse in future. “No one will be allowed to take their own car to the tarmac except those who are permitted by protocol and the tarmac access permission will not be open ended,” aviation secretary R N Choubey told TOI on Wednesday.
Exceptions may, however, be made on medical grounds if someone uses a retrofitted car. CM’s vehicles are allowed tarmac access at airports in their state.
This facility has been extended in the past to CMs at airports outside their states for security or health reasons.
Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: Former chief ministers and many other VIPs will no longer be allowed to drive right upto aircraft at airports in their home states, in their own vehicles. The aviation ministry has decided that “tarmac access” to such have beens will neither be open-ended, meaning the permission will come with an up to date, nor be allowed in their own cars and they will have to use airport ferry vehicles.
The decision comes seven months after the ministry withdrew former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav and wife Rabri Devi’s permission to drive up to the tarmac in their own car — right next to the step ladder of aircraft — while they fly in and out of Patna.
The ministry realised two things that the permission given to the Yadav couple in 2009 was open-ended and driving right upto the vehicle in their own car meant boarding aircraft with bags that were able to dodge security checks.
These loopholes have now been removed to ensure misuse in future. “No one will be allowed to take their own car to the tarmac except those who are permitted by protocol and the tarmac access permission will not be open ended,” aviation secretary R N Choubey told TOI on Wednesday.
Exceptions may, however, be made on medical grounds if someone uses a retrofitted car. CM’s vehicles are allowed tarmac access at airports in their state.
This facility has been extended in the past to CMs at airports outside their states for security or health reasons.
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