The Airports Authority of India will construct a new terminal building at the Port Blair airport by October this year, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The new terminal building is being built at a cost of around Rs 707.73 crore due to the increase in passenger traffic, according to the MoCA’s statement.
“With a total built-up area of 40,837 square metres, the new terminal building will be capable of handling 1,200 passengers during peak hours and about 40 lakhs passengers annually,” the statement mentioned.
The new passenger terminal building will have three floors comprising lower ground, upper ground and first floor, it noted. Along with the new terminal, additional parking bays are also being constructed at the airport, it said. “More than 80 per cent of the project work is completed, and the development project is targeted to be completed by October 2022,” it stated
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the lower ground floor of the new terminal building will be used as remote arrival, service area and bus lounge; the upper ground floor as the terminal building’s access for passenger arrival and departure, while the first floor as Security Hold Area for international flyers. The terminal design is inspired by nature as it is a shell-shaped structure depicting sea and islands. The new terminal building is a 120 metre structural steel framed building equipped with aluminum sheet roofing as well as cable net glazing all around. The entire terminal building will also have 100% natural lighting for twelve hours a day which will be achieved by skylights along the roof.
The world-class terminal building will be equipped with a total of 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges as well as four conveyor belts. The ministry said the airport’s city side area will be developed as well with adequate parking facilities for car, taxi as well as buses along with the landscaping. At present, the construction of an additional Apron area of the airport is also in progress which will add four additional bays for the aircraft parking. So far, more than 80 per cent of project work is completed and the development project is targeted for completion by the month of October this year.