The construction of a new terminal for international flights at the civilian Airport in Harni, on the outskirts of Gujarat's second largest city of Vadodara has been completed and it is likely to be commissioned soon. Final touches are being given and the work for creating other facilities as per international standards will be done soon, project in-charge and General Manager of Airport Authority of India, Narendra Kumar Shukla said.
The project is part of Centre's effort to modernise the existing airports and develop them on par with international ones, he said, adding the existing terminal at the airport is small and cannot handle a large number of passengers.
He said the foundation stone for the new terminal was laid in 2009 and the construction work had started in May 2011.
The new terminal, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.60 billion , is on an area of 18,120 sq mt with the capability to handle 700 passengers, including 200 international, per hour, Shukla said.
It will have 18 check-in counters, official sources said.
The Prime Minister's Office has been constantly monitoring the new terminal's construction work which is expected to be ready for operating international flights very soon, local member of Parliament Ranjanben Bhatt said.
After the final touches, the Director General of Civil Aviation will give approval for making this new terminal operational.
Thereafter it will be used for direct international flights for neighbouring countries. A direct flight for the US or the UK will not be possible as the length of the existing runway is not enough for big aircraft.
"The new terminal building is a unique steel structure which is designed as per the advance building management system. It will have hi-tech security systems, energy saving cooling and rain water harvesting system, super-sensitive fire safety alarm and automatic glass cleaning facilities," Shukla said.
"Currently 10 flights operate everyday from Vadodara, which is not capable to manage more passengers although its ranking is good in-terms of managing passengers and flights," he said.
