The Video That Sparked Debate
A video of US architect Damon Zumbroegel, a frequent visitor to India, showing the route passengers take after immigration at Delhi airport has generated a wide range of reactions. In the clip, Zumbroegel criticises what he calls the 'mean' immigration process and the commercial area that follows.
"Every time I come to India, the immigration is so mean," he says in the video, before turning the camera towards the duty-free area. He describes walking through a array of retail shops as the first thing visitors encounter, calling it the "Indian 'give me your money' gauntlet." The video also shows travellers with luggage near what appears to be retail and currency-related counters.
In the caption accompanying his post on X, Zumbroegel wrote, "WELCOME TO INDIA? This is how one enters India in Delhi. Immigration, then, 'BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!'. Not even 5 feet from immigration." He added that it was a real video of immigration in Delhi, emphasising the contrast between a hoped-for welcome and the sales pitch.
Varied Reactions from Netizens
The video quickly became viral, drawing a broad range of comments. While some users agreed with Zumbroegel, many pushed back, noting that duty-free areas are standard at international airports globally. One person responded, "This is how you land into literally every country. Practically every Australian international airport is designed like this. Immigration (difficult for non-citizens) -> Duty free -> Baggage," a comment echoed by others who pointed to the same layout at airports in the United States, Australia, and elsewhere.
X user AshofJedi challenged the criticism directly, writing, "Stop hating, mate. Have you been to Australian airports or so many other airports in the world? It's the same in Sydney, Melbourne, etc. Just because it's India, you have to take a video and put your rant on X." Another user accused Zumbroegel of viewing India through 'racistglasses' and said they had not experienced salespeople approaching them, as the common suggestion was to simply decline politely. A commenter who conceded similar designs elsewhere also noted that passengers can easily proceed without engaging, prompting few to suggest a polite refusal as a solution.
Rupesh Prabha Pandey, responding to Zumbroegel, offered a comparative take, commenting that immigration booths in Asian countries are more friendly and faster than those in European countries, which adds a personal perspective on the differing experiences across world airports.
Industrialist's Response Adds Institutional Dimension
Zumbroegel's post caught the attention of Harsh Goenka, Chairperson of the RPG Group. Goenka reshared the video and wrote, "At most of our airports, as you clear immigration and proceed through the duty-free area, salespeople swarm around passengers, aggressively pushing products. Surely we can do better. Let’s give passengers a dignified, hassle-free entry into our country." He also tagged Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu in his post, bringing the issue to the attention of an official and suggesting an institutional call for improvement.
Zumbroegel's Defence Based on 30 Years of Travel
The debate broadened into a conversation about whether the arrangement is unique to Delhi. Several comments underlined that duty-free areas after immigration are a standard feature of most large airports. Meanwhile, Zumbroegel remained firm, responding to the criticism by saying he has been coming to India for 30 years and has been to six different countries in the last few months, and that no one does this like Delhi. His response emphasises the claim that the intensity and placement of the sales area is peculiar to that airport, based on his travel experience.
Context and Perspective
Zumbroegel’s background has been noted in the reporting: he is an architect and humanitarian from California, and his history of frequent visits to India adds weight to his familiarity with the country. However, the reactions have been largely split between those who view the criticism as a standard aspect of air travel and those who contend that the commercial area is pushier than elsewhere, particularly when portrayed as a 'welcome.'
A point of balance, Goenka’s response neither dismisses nor fully endorses Zumbroegel’s portrayal but signals an acknowledgment that the airport experience may need improvement. The exchange has highlighted the tension between a passenger's expectation of a greeting and the reality of commercialisation after the gate. The debate, as aired on X, continues with no official response yet but does bring into view the mix of passenger convenience and revenue generation in India’s airports.
The article, based on the coverage from the free Press Journal, India Today, and Times Now, presents the reactions and quotes, but does not resolve the larger question of whether Delhi airport's setup is unique and or if the criticism is overstated. It serves as an account of a viral moment and the differing perspectives it created.