The nearly eight-year-old Kempegowda International Airport, which recently handled its 100 millionth passenger, has started work on its second phase expansion.
The expansion includes construction of the second terminal – T2 – and a parallel runway that will enable the airport to handle more number of flights. It is being taken up at a cost of around Rs. 4,000 crore and is expected to be completed in 2022.
The initial work began in late February with earth moving machinery levelling the earth to make way for a new 4,000m x 60 m parallel runway.
“The levelling work is on in full swing and stabilising the ground will go on for another 12 months. Following adequate inspections of the ground stability, the laying of the runway will commence,” a senior official in-charge of T2 told The Hindu .
T2 will be constructed in two phases. Works on the first phase, which can serve 20 million passengers annually, is expected to conclude by 2022. The second phase of T2 is expected to cater to another 15 million passengers annually. Once T2 is completed, the airport can serve 55 million passengers, including 20 million passengers in T1.
“The overall expense of setting up T2 will be met through a combination of debt and internal accruals in the ratio of 70:30,” added another senior official.
A joint working group, including officials from BIAL, Indian Air Force and HAL, will discuss the appropriate distribution of airspace to accommodate the needs of T2, the official said.
Design by U.S. firm
The architectural design for T2 will be finalised by August 2016 and is being prepared by American firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. “We are brainstorming with experts from the U.S. firm and will finalise the design by August. Construction for T2 will most likely commence by January 2017,” revealed an official.