Intl terminal may be operational by March next year

The new terminal will have a capacity to handle 1,600 passengers, comprising 1,150 domestic and 450 international. Four aerobridges will be constructed. The governments of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh are involved in the project.

It is proposed that on the lines of the airport in Delhi, the entry and exit of passengers will be at different levels. There will be space for parking of five big aircraft and three small ones. The present terminal has space for parking of three large and two small planes.

The runway will be extended by 1,500 metres. Also, a parallel taxi track is proposed to be constructed.

The cargo complex has been completed at the terminal and there is a proposal to operate it on a public-private partnership basis. The total cost of the construction of the new terminal is around Rs 450 crore.

Airport director J S Balhar says, “Around 70 per cent of the work is complete, we expect that the international terminal will be operational by March 2015. The terminal will reflect the cultures of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. An artist has been hired for the purpose.”

He added, “Once international flights become operational, people of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will not have to go to Delhi to catch such flights. The footfall at the airport at present is 3,000 with 19 flights operating daily. The domestic connectivity from Chandigarh has increased in the past few years.”

Despite claims made by politicians time and again, the start of international flights from Chandigarh is still awaited. Airport officials say they have not received any communication from the ministry in this regard. However, the ministry has notified the airport as a “customs airport”.