25,000 aspirants, 2,600 vacancies: Stampede-like chaos near Mumbai airport. Watch.

Videos on social media show thousands of job seekers rushing towards the interview center, with some even climbing vehicles and trees to reach the venue more quickly.

An Air India Airport Services Ltd recruitment drive for airport loaders led to a stampede-like situation near the Mumbai Airport on July 16, as more than 25,000 applicants turned up for 2,600 vacancies.

The walk-in interview in Mumbai's Kalina quickly spiralled into chaos. As the situation escalated, applicants were asked to deposit their resumes and leave the spot to prevent a stampede.

Videos on social media show thousands of job seekers rushing towards the interview center, with some even climbing vehicles and trees to reach the venue more quickly. Amid the rush, authorities had to intervene to prevent a potential stampede.

The government-owned Air India Airport Services had scheduled walk-in interviews for around 2,000 airport loaders, 400 airport drivers, and 200 ground handling technicians. With their applications and documents in hand, the job seekers gathered at gate no. 5 near the Sahar cargo complex upon learning about the vacancies.

The recruitment drive commenced at 10 am on June 16, however, by 2 pm, more than 10,000 people had gathered at the spot in Kalinga on the outskirts of the Mumbai Airport. In total, Air India Airport Services received applications from close to 25,000 candidates. Later, the airport authorities selected 200 applicants for interviews, according to the official.

"No untoward incident was reported, and the situation was subsequently brought under control," stated an official from the Sahar police station.

All the applicants were freshers, with most having recently completed Class 12. Among the multitude of applicants, many possess advanced degrees and have traveled considerable distances in pursuit of employment opportunities.

Prathameshwar, a second-year BBA student from Buldhana district, traveled over 400 kilometers for an opportunity to apply for the handyman position, as per an NDTV report. Another applicant, armed with a BA degree, admitted uncertainty about the specifics of the handyman job but mentioned his urgent need for employment, it has been learnt from the report.

Airport loaders are responsible for loading and unloading luggage on aircraft and operating baggage belts and ramp tractors. Each aircraft requires at least five loaders to manage luggage, cargo, and food supplies.

The minimum qualifications for the posts were SSC/10th pass with a maximum age of 23. The salary was fixed at Rs 22,530 per month, and the position was offered on a fixed-term contract basis of three years.

The salary for airport loaders ranges between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, with most earning over Rs 30,000 after overtime allowances. The educational requirements for the job are basic, but candidates must be physically strong.

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the state government for the situation.

"600 vacancies opened up in Kalina airport, where over 20,000 to 25,000 candidates appeared. This shows that the unemployment situation in the country is severe. The youth has taken to the roads in search of jobs. The government is saying that they have created jobs and brought investment...where are the jobs? All this is happening due to the state government's wrong schemes. No investments are coming in the state," he noted during an interaction with the media a day later.

Mumbai North Central MP Varsha Gaikwad slammed the BJP-led NDA government over unemployment, sharing a video of a large crowd of job seekers outside the airport. She questioned the seriousness of both the State and Centre regarding the future of the country’s youth.

"When will this government prioritise the future of the country's youth with real opportunities for employment, instead of offering empty promises and misleading statistics?", she wrote on microblogging site X.

मुंबई के बारे में कहा जाता है कि यहां से कोई खाली हाथ नहीं जाता, यहां सबको अपना गुज़ारा करने के लिए कुछ न कुछ मिल जाता है। लेकिन आर्थिक राजधानी मुंबई में बेरोज़गारी का ये हाल देखिए।

ये मुंबई एयरपोर्ट के बाहर के दृश्य हैं। एयरपोर्ट पर लोडर के ६०० पदों के लिए २५००० से ज्यादा… pic.twitter.com/GoZwdlyi1g

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) July 16, 2024

The Mumbai incident comes close on the heels of another recent chaotic scene at a walk-in interview in Gujarat's Bharuch. A video that went viral showed hundreds of jobseekers jostling each other during a recruitment drive at Ankleshwar. Despite only 10 positions being available at the private firm, nearly 1,800 aspirants showed up. The overcrowding was so intense that a railing on the ramp leading to the office entrance collapsed, though, no serious injuries were reported among those who lost their balance.

With inputs from agencies