Pune Airport Proposes 15-Minute Cap on Private Car Waiting Time
Pune, 17th February 2026: Authorities at Pune International Airport are planning to introduce a regulated waiting system for private vehicles picking up arriving passengers, with implementation likely by the end of February or early March, officials said.
Airport director Santosh Dhoke stated that final approval from headquarters is pending. He indicated that once clearance is received, the system will be activated without delay.
Under the proposed mechanism, private vehicles stopping outside the arrivals zone will be allowed to wait for roughly 13 to 15 minutes. Vehicles exceeding the permitted duration may face penalties. Officials explained that entry and exit times will be digitally logged so authorities can track how long each vehicle remains in the pick-up area.
According to airport sources, the initiative is intended to ease traffic bottlenecks near the terminal, particularly during peak evening hours when congestion is most severe. One official familiar with the plan said the monitoring system will automatically match arrival and departure timestamps of vehicles to identify violations.
Currently, private as well as commercial vehicles such as taxis and autorickshaws are permitted to drop passengers at the terminal, but only private vehicles are allowed to collect arrivals directly from outside the building. Passengers seeking taxis or autos must proceed to AeroMall, where transport services are stationed.
AeroMall management has introduced a facilitation counter near the arrivals section for travellers who require immediate commercial transport, enabling staff to summon vehicles on request.
Vice-president YS Rajput said discussions about regulating waiting time have been ongoing, noting that vehicles often remain parked longer than necessary even in drop-off areas, worsening traffic flow. He added that this slows circulation and causes spillover congestion toward the departures side.
Frequent flyers have also voiced concerns about crowding near the terminal frontage. One regular traveller said the space often becomes clogged with waiting cars, making it difficult for drivers to manoeuvre. The passenger suggested that stricter limits — possibly under ten minutes — would help prevent traffic from becoming unmanageable.
Officials said the final framework and enforcement details will be announced after formal approval is received.
