Mangaluru: “The work on the extension of the terminal building at a cost of Rs 132.24 Crore, widening of safety basic strip of runway and construction of part parallel taxi track at a cost of Rs 121 Crore have been undertaken at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA). These development works are expected to complete by 2020”, informed Regional Executive Director of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Sri Kumar on Friday, September 14.
Addressing the reporters at the conference hall of MIA he said, “Various developmental works have been undertaken by the MIA in the recent days. The Mangaluru International Airport is consistently performing over the years. In 2012, the passengers’ movement in this airport was only 7.5 lakh. But within a short period of five years, it has increased to 23.5 lakh passengers per annum. The handling of cargo is also increasing year after year. Cargo movement was 867 metric tonnes in the year 2016-17. Within one year, it has reached 2338 metric tonnes. The present progress shows that it will reach around 4000 metric tonnes shortly. Considering this consistent growth of this airport, we had made a very big master plan which covers the terminal building expansion, safety-related measures among others”, he said.
Informing about the other development works, he said, ”During the extension of the terminal building, facilities like two additional passenger boarding bridges, Visa on arrival facility, three baggage claim belts in international arrival and in domestic arrival instead of the present one will be made. Meanwhile, in order to prevent chaos due to arriving and departing passengers from one level, they will be brought down to new arrival hall at car park level. The elevated level will be only for departures once the work gets completed”, he said.
”There is also a plan to enhance the runway handling capacity from 10 flights per hour to 20 flights per hour. In order to accommodate more flights, aircraft parking bays will be extended. There is also a plan to upgrade the terminal building washrooms to international standards”, he informed.
Artwork to attract air passengers
In order to showcase the culture of the coastal region, AAI is planning to renovate the airport with artworks like Guttu pillars, tiger dance, Yakshagana pictures, modern arts depicting car street festival among others.
CSR activities of the airport
“Presently, there is no stormwater drainage system beyond the Airport Authority of India boundary in Malavoor village. Hence, the district administration requested the AAI to fund this project, to which we are agreed. A memorandum of agreement was signed between district administration and AAI today. The work will be carried out by Panchayat Raj Engineering Department and the cost will be borne by AAI. Under CSR activities, construction of an Anganwadi in Malavoor village at the cost of Rs 14 Lakh, providing borewells in villages and construction of the memorial for air accident victims at NMPT Garden have already been undertaken, Sri Kumar informed.
Airport Director V V Rao was also present.
