After reviewing the state of the Chennai airport with its brass, led by Airport Director H.S. Suresh, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he would inspect the premises a month from Thursday to assess improvements in various spheres, ranging from hygiene to showcasing Tamil culture and heritage.
After the issue was raised in Parliament, the Minister’s personal staff visited the airport last week and came away with photographs showing the premises in a state of neglect. This included damaged or loose flooring, unhygienic bathrooms, trolleys in poor condition, a packed parking lot and only four departure doors leading at times to congestion. The meeting saw airport officials agreeing on timelines for improvement. Defects in the flooring will be rectified by August 10, replacing dirty cloth strips by July 31 and proper regulation of departure timings will be ensured to avoid congestion.
Officials have also agreed to reintroduce piped music and to install aesthetically-designed boards at the arrival hall.
Airport officials said some major initiatives would have to be carried out in the PPP mode such as linking the new domestic and new international terminal by a connecting tube which will cost Rs. 75 crore. A request for proposal has been floated and this would include the demolition and rebuilding of the old Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and development of an integrated cargo complex. The congestion at car parking would be overcome with a multilevel car parking also included in the proposal.