It was modernised three years ago, but an arrival hall at the international terminal of Chennai airport is yet to be opened. What is disconcerting is that it may never be opened.
Airport director Deepak Shastri said, “Instead of opening it now, we will rather want to integrate this arrival space with the ones in the phase II project where new terminals will be constructed. This has not been opened since we didn’t get additional manpower for moving from the old to the new arrival hall.”
Currently, passengers are using the new domestic terminal for arrival and departure; but international passengers depart from the new international terminal and arrive at the old one.
The modernisation of the Chennai airport carried out at a cost of Rs. 2,000 crore included construction of new terminals, extension of secondary runway, construction of additional parking bays and a new fire station.
The work on the project started in 2008 and had to be commissioned in 2011; but after a long delay, the terminals were opened only in January 2013.
Though the new domestic and international terminals were opened, the arrival hall of the international terminal was not for want of additional manpower from customs and immigration.
No permission yet
Officials said the request had been made but they are yet to get permission.
Few years ago, the Comptroller and Auditor General noted there was a loss of interest of Rs. 48 crore owing to the delay in putting the new international terminal to use.
It has been three years since the other facilities under the project have been opened and this hall is still lying unused. And now, a decision has been made to start phase II project for construction of new terminals and other facilities at the Chennai airport.
