The Congress Party has strongly opposed the Adani Group’s proposal to hike the User Development Fee (UDF) at Mumbai International Airport, calling it a move that would “burden ordinary citizens while favoring corporate profiteering.” The proposed hike would increase UDF for international passengers from Rs 187 to Rs 650 while introducing a Rs 325 charge for domestic travelers.
The Congress criticized the timing of the decision, stating that it comes “when the common man is already struggling with inflation, rising fuel prices, and an economic downturn.” It argued that “instead of ensuring affordable and accessible air travel, this exorbitant fee hike will make flying costlier for millions of Indians, particularly students, small business owners, and middle-class families who depend on Mumbai Airport as a critical travel hub.”
Questioning the rationale behind the fee hike, the party stated, “The justification of funding infrastructure expansion cannot come at the cost of public inconvenience. If investment in airport development is needed, why should passengers bear the entire burden while the government facilitates corporate monopolization of national assets?”
The Congress has urged the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to reject the proposal and “conduct a transparent review involving all stakeholders, including passenger rights groups and civil society.” It called on the government to “prevent private players from exploiting essential infrastructure for excessive profits.”
The party also linked the issue to concerns over the potential privatization of Dimapur Airport, urging the Government of India to ensure that it “remains a publicly managed entity and is not handed over to private corporations in the future.” The statement stressed that “as Nagaland’s only commercial airport, Dimapur Airport is a vital gateway for the people of the state and the entire Northeast.” Congress warned that privatization could result in “similar exploitative pricing, making air travel unaffordable for students, patients, and small business owners who depend on it.”
Calling for greater public oversight, the party asserted, “Instead of privatization, the government must focus on strengthening the existing airport infrastructure under public control and ensuring that any development prioritizes passengers’ interests, not corporate profits.” It cautioned against allowing Nagaland’s connectivity to “fall into the hands of monopolistic entities that will put revenue above regional accessibility.”
The Congress also accused the ruling government of encouraging crony capitalism, stating, “This is yet another example of how the current regime is allowing crony capitalism to flourish at the expense of hardworking Indians.” Reaffirming its stand, the party declared, “We will not remain silent while public infrastructure is turned into a money-making machine for a select few. The Congress Party will continue to stand with the people and fight against policies that prioritize corporate profits over public welfare.”