Bhubaneswar: Quick on the heels of the success of international operations from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to construct a new terminal building with state of the art facilities at the airport.
Top AAI sources told Orissa POST that the proposed new building, Terminal III building, with modern facilities will be exclusively for international passengers arriving at the BPIA. In other words, it will be the ‘international arrival building’.
“We are planning to construct a new terminal building between domestic terminal (Terminal I) and international terminal (Terminal II). As per the current proposal, it will be a double-storied structure with all necessary passenger amenities,” said a top official of AAI.
BPIA is already handing more than 40 flight operations daily. According to AAI records, the airport recorded 11,752 aircraft movements in 2013-2014 and 12,512 aircraft movement in 2014-15. In 2015-2016 the aircraft movement increased to 14,036.
Nevertheless, even after reporting a 27 per cent hike in terms of passenger movement, this major airport in the state is handing its international operations from an old terminal building. Notably, this building, which handles international operations to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, is operating without an aerobridge and is offering only basic facilities to the passengers.
With the state already showing a great potential for developing into an international sports hub, sources informed Orissa POST that the apex aviation office has decided to accord top priority to the expansion plans of BPIA.
“We are already considering an additional terminal building for international operations. This will be a state of the art international arrival building with aerobridge facility. As per proposal, the first floor will handle immigration clearance facility, while the ground floor will have baggage and customs clearance facility. This apart, the ground floor will boast Duty Free shops and other facilities for the passengers. The existing international terminal building will be used as ‘international departure’ building,” said a top source in Ministry of Civil Aviation. Sources said that project cost and implementation details are not available now. When contacted, SC Hota, director, BPIA, also confirmed the infrastructural expansion plans of BPIA. “We are planning some projects to provide better facilities to foreign passengers visiting Orissa. Till now, we are not able to provide them adequate facilities due to space constrains. However, projects are already in the pipeline and we will provide state of the facilities for them,” Hota said.
Jose K Joseph, OP
