Airports and affordable food rarely belong in the same sentence. For years, travellers have walked into terminals knowing that even a cup of tea or a simple snack would cost far more than usual. But a recent
video from Pune International Airport is challenging that assumption, and it all revolves around the Udaan Yatri Cafe.
Udan Yatri Cafe is a government initiative that was designed to provide affordable food and beverages to travellers at airports. Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha is credited with the policy shift after he raised the issue in Parliament about the high prices of basic food items at the airport.
Samosa And Chai At Pune International Airport
The clip was shared by IIT Bombay alumnus Piyush Tripathi, who was travelling with his wife. As they walked through the airport, he casually asked her, “Samosa khaogi airport par? (Will you have a samosa at the airport?).” She agreed.
He then said, “Aao chale khilate hai (Come, let’s go, I’ll get you one)” before leading her to the Udan Yatri Cafe inside the terminal.
At the Cafe, the couple picked up two cups of tea and samosas. The banter continued when he asked her, “Kiski wajah se hua hai ye? (Because of whom has this happened?)”
Her response was immediate: “Raghav Chadha.” He followed it up playfully with, “Kaisa lagta hai Raghav Chadha? (How do you find Raghav Chadha?)” She smiled and replied, “Handsome.”
The caption accompanying the post read: “Expectation: Airport = mehenga. Reality: Rs 20 samosa + Rs 10 chai. Fact check passed.”
Watch The Clip Here
What Raghav Chadha Said
During the Winter Session of Parliament in 2024, Chadha drew attention to how travellers are often forced to pay inflated rates for basic necessities at airports.
“A water bottle costs Rs 100, and tea is priced at Rs 200-250. Can’t the government establish affordable canteens at airports?” he had questioned. Beyond pricing, Chadha also aimed at airport management as he compared the on-ground experience at several terminals to bus stands. He cited long queues, overcrowding and a lack of proper organisation as persistent issues that undermine the overall travel experience.
Raghav Chadha Reacts To The Video
The video gained traction on social media not just among regular users but also among those directly linked to the initiative.
Raghav Chadha himself commented, saying, “Haha, hope you enjoyed the samosa!” Actor Parineeti Chopra, his wife, joined in too, writing, “I totally agree,” in response to the “handsome” remark.
More comments followed with one user writing, “Much-needed step for the middle class! Well done, Raghav Chadha.”
Another said, “Huge respect for this man! We still have politicians who care forthe public!”
“Raghav Chadha only politician who talks about issues,” someone else remarked while a person wrote, “That handsome was so on point.”
Udan Yatri Cafe: Prices And Where It’s Available
What makes the Udan Yatri Cafe stand out is its straightforward pricing. Travellers can get tea and bottled water for Rs 10, coffee for Rs 20. Sacks like samosas, kachoris or patties are priced at Rs 20. The Cafe also offers a sweet of the day for Rs 20.
The initiative was first introduced at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and has since expanded to several airports across India, such as Chennai, Ahmedabad (Terminal 1), Pune, Bhubaneswar, Itanagar and Vijayawada.
