Exactly a month after Mumbai’s latest `icon’ the
new airport terminal T2 opened; it was time for us to fly out of it.
Let me kill the suspense and reveal the plot.
T2 is actually really nice.
You must have read about the trials and
tribulations of T2. `Terminal’ 2 was an appropriate name. The ceiling had collapsed
nearly killing some Air India staffers. A man in a diabetic coma was perceived as
being drunk and left out on the footpath. Mosquitoes capable of inflicting
dengue infested the airport. Horror stories of serpentine queues at
immigration. Anecdotes from passengers who waited for up to 4 hours to collect
their bags. All this had me worried.
However, as I have said, our experience was all pleasure.
One caveat/assumption/submission. You should
not question someone’s sense of `taste’ as far as decor is concerned. If you
like heavy dark polished furniture and I like sleek Italian furniture, then I
am in no position to criticise your house with its heavy furniture. If you
prefer to wear a kurta to a dinner while I would wear a shirt, it is simply a
matter of taste. As long as the clothes are not inappropriate, taste should not
be questioned.
The drive to T2 is fantastic. A new road has
been constructed leading off from the Western Express Highway. The road is
largely elevated and has new trees along the periphery which when they grow will
look fantastic. The new road is dedicated to T2 so you have no rubbish on it.
No rickshaws no hawkers no beggars and no traffic. Really nice.
The T2 building itself is impressive. Large
modern and with a great sense of space. Every facility was international class.
The signage was effective. Security was seamless and immigration was painless.
The Business Class lounge is temporary, but I must say it was good. Comfortable
chairs, lots of food ranging from sandwiches to Chicken Tikka Masala, a range
of soft drinks and free booze. Well staffed. Most comfortable and impressive.
You could sit and see the aircraft. I took a few photos. All illegal of course
as photography is banned. How typically India. Build a brand new airport with
large windows overlooking the runways and ban photography!
Much has been written about the artwork at
the airport. There is a lot of art. There are also a lot of lights. This is
where I refer you to my point on `taste’. Frankly I hated the lights. I also had
a problem with the art. The contrast between the very nice and modern T2
building and, in my view the horribly clichéd `Indian’ art was too stark for my
liking. I have taken a few photos. Have a look and make your own decision.
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| The Business lounge with the lights |
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| More lights |
Needless to say the new T2 has not affected
the Indian stupidity and idiosyncrasies. You still have a couple of bodies
scanning ever passport and boarding card to see if they have an Immigration stamp.
Why? You still have to attach a tag on a hand bag and have it stamped. For some
inexplicable reason a jacket which also goes thru the X Ray machine does not
have to have a tag and consequently a stamp You still have a doltish CISF Guard
checking your baggage tag and boarding card to ensure they have a security
stamp. Why? Mind you none of this happens in any airport outside India. But that
topic could be another blog.
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