Election gives wings to airport terminal launch

Airport authorities said that space had been allocated to airlines so that they can set up their offices and ticket counters inside the new terminal building before November 18. Space has also been provided for shops,a food court and coffee bars.

Airport director Atul Dixit said,“November 19 is a tentative date. If everything goes according to plan,the new terminal building could be inaugurated on November 19.” He refused to say who would inaugurate the terminal.

While work in the terminal building is complete,the landscaping near the parking lot was under way on Sunday. Painting and cleaning of internal structures are also on.

“We have been asked to complete the finishing of all internal structures and final trial of equipment before November 18,” said a technician working on a conveyor belt.

The new terminal building is spread across 20,000 sq metres. The double-storey building in the ground floor has two main entrances -one each for arrival and departure sections. Launched in January 2008,this Rs 129 crore project was to be completed by August 2009 but was delayed by more than two years.

Airport authorities have specified the space for immigration international,security check for domestic flight passengers and customs. Other customer services available include reserve lounge,first-aid,child care,coffee bar,smoking zones and toilets. There are four belt conveyors installed on the ground floor. Three elevators and three escalators have also been installed. Two parking lots with capacity of 1,500 vehicles have been developed in front of the building.

“Airport authorities have asked to establish all the shops here by Monday as the building has to be inaugurated on November 19,” said a trader setting up his coffee bar inside terminal building.

The airport director said,“After the new terminal becomes operational,work on remodeling of the existing terminal will begin. Initially,both international and domestic flights will operate from the new terminal building. When the remodeling of the existing building is completed,operations of domestic flights will be shifted there.”

Contract of the project was awarded to Brahmaputra Infrastructure Limited (JV) in October 2007. But following the delay,Airport Authority of India (AAI) had decided not to award any new project to the firm until it completes the Lucknow airport project.