Affordable Airport Bites
For too long, the expectation has been that airport eateries come with inflated price tags, making a simple cup of tea or a quick snack a luxury. However,
a recent viral moment at Pune International Airport has flipped this narrative, showcasing a delightful reality of budget-friendly food options. This positive shift is largely attributed to the 'Udan Yatri Cafe,' a government-driven project aimed at making food and beverages accessible and affordable for travelers. The spark for this change was ignited when Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha brought the issue of exorbitant airport food prices to the forefront in Parliament, advocating for a more reasonable pricing structure for essential items.
A Couple's Discovery
The viral video originated from an IIT Bombay alumnus, Piyush Tripathi, who was traveling with his wife. During their airport journey, a casual inquiry about having a samosa led them to the Udan Yatri Cafe. Once there, they purchased two cups of tea and samosas, marveling at the low cost. In a lighthearted exchange captured on video, Piyush asked his wife whose efforts led to this affordability, to which she promptly replied, "Raghav Chadha." He playfully followed up by asking her opinion of Chadha, to which she responded with a smile, calling him "Handsome." The accompanying caption on the post playfully confirmed, "Expectation: Airport = mehenga. Reality: Rs 20 samosa + Rs 10 chai. Fact check passed."
Parliamentary Push for Change
During the Winter Session of Parliament in 2024, Raghav Chadha highlighted the pervasive issue of travelers being subjected to significantly marked-up prices for basic necessities at airports. He questioned the rationale behind a water bottle costing ₹100 and tea being priced between ₹200-₹250, posing a critical question to the government about establishing affordable canteens within airport premises. Beyond just pricing, Chadha also addressed the operational aspects of airport management, drawing parallels between the chaotic, overcrowded, and disorganized environment at many terminals to that of bus stands, suggesting these persistent issues detract from the overall passenger experience.
Positive Reactions and Expansion
The video quickly gained widespread attention on social media, resonating with both everyday travelers and individuals involved in the initiative. Raghav Chadha himself reacted to the video with amusement, commenting, "Haha, hope you enjoyed the samosa!" His wife, actor Parineeti Chopra, also joined the conversation, agreeing with the sentiments expressed. Numerous users praised the initiative, with comments like, "Much-needed step for the middle class! Well done, Raghav Chadha," and "Huge respect for this man! We still have politicians who care for the public!" The Udan Yatri Cafe, known for its straightforward pricing—tea and water at ₹10, coffee at ₹20, and snacks like samosas and patties at ₹20—was initially launched at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and has since been successfully implemented at airports in Chennai, Ahmedabad (Terminal 1), Pune, Bhubaneswar, Itanagar, and Vijayawada.
