A visitor to the Chennai airport may think the new domestic terminal building looks swanky, ultra-modern and ready for use. But a visit inside would be disappointing, as many aspects of it are still incomplete.
Work on the building, electrification, air-conditioning, lifts, escalators and installation of conveyor belts have been finished. But a lot still remains to be done. Airports Authority of India (AAI) sources said it would take at least another six months to complete all the work, after which the new terminal will become fully operational.
The landing arm of the flyover for instance, is incomplete. Without the landing arm, vehicles have to travel two extra kilometres every time a passenger comes to the domestic or international terminals.
The aerobridges imported from Indonesia arrived at the Chennai harbour on July 14 and reached the airport four days later. Though the seven aerobridges have been assembled at the new terminal, they have not been calibrated as yet. This work in itself will take more than 45 days, said a senior AAI official.
Talking about the constraints, the official said approach from the city side and car parking were two major hurdles at present. With the non-completion of the flyover work, approach from the city side was a major problem. Similarly, with the starting of Metro rail work at the airport, the area for car parking has not been earmarked, the official added.
The other constraint involves security and safety standards. While the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has to clear security standards, the Director General of Civil Aviation has to clear safety standards. How far existing safety and security standards were acceptable to both the agencies is another question that remains unanswered, the official said.
S. Bhaduri, executive director (Project), Chennai airport, said all work in the terminal was complete.
“We are just awaiting a possible date from the Prime Minister’s office to inaugurate the terminal,” he said.
