Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is likely to construct the two new terminals of Chennai airport as part of the phase II modernisation project.
According to top sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI), L&T has emerged as the lowest bidder. The work is estimated to cost around ₹1,400 crore, sources said. “In about 10 days, we will formally hand over the letter of award for the contract to L&T,” an official said. The construction of the terminals can begin after the old terminals are pulled down. The Kamaraj Domestic Terminal is being demolished; subsequently the Anna International Terminal will brought down. The demolition work will be completed in three months, an official said.
The space occupied by the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the Anna International Terminal will together become the international terminal and the existing domestic and international terminals will be converted into the domestic terminal.
When completed, the new terminals will have the capacity to handle 30 million passengers a year, up from 18 million now.
₹2,500-crore project
The phase II modernisation project that will totally cost about ₹2,500 crore comprises construction of new terminals, multi-level car parking facilities, airside developments such as straightening of taxiways and construction of rapid exit taxiways, and the provision of a travelator.
The travelator will be open to the public in a week.
“The rest of the works for phase II are being taken up one after another and the whole project will be over in three years,” an official said.
The phase I modernisation project that was completed a few years ago drew a lot of criticism regarding the quality of work.
