The Middle-Class Burden of ‘National Progress
Ah, the sweet life of the middle class—working tirelessly to save for the big things: a roof over their heads, the child's education, the marriage that will launch a thousand credit card bills, and, of course, the medical expenses that seem to always arrive at the worst time. But wait, there’s a new feather in the cap of the modern-day middle class—a small little thing called "contributing to the grand development projects of the nation." How, you ask? Simple: by paying exorbitant fees every time they travel through an airport.
Let’s pause for a moment and think about the government’s brilliant plan: Instead of investing taxpayer money in these monumental projects like airports, highways, statues, and, of course, the Parliament, let’s simply outsource it to the likes of GMR and Adani! Genius, right? You see, these mighty private entities will "develop" the infrastructure, and in return, they’ll recover their "investment" from the very people who rely on the services—the common man. Why build a national economy when you can just charge the passengers?
But the real beauty lies in the numbers. You, dear domestic traveler, who have already surrendered a piece of your soul to the airport's queue and the TSA’s fondness for your toothpaste, get the privilege of paying a domestic user fee of ₹800. Not a mere fee for the services you enjoy, but a sacred contribution to the "development" of something you're unlikely to benefit from unless you’re flying abroad (in which case, your international user fee of ₹2500 might make you feel slightly more important). And to top it all off, every ticket is "graciously" imbued with the airport development fee. It's as if they’re asking you to pay rent for your time in the airport, whether you like it or not.
But fret not! The middle class has always been the backbone of this great nation. While the government raises taxes on non-existent development, the middle class continues to hustle for their children's future, their own medical bills, and that elusive dream of "saving for tomorrow." After all, who needs real economic development when you have glittering statues and monuments, right?
So next time you find yourself at an airport, remember to appreciate the infrastructure that you funded. After all, you’re contributing to the nation's growth—one ₹800 user fee at a time.