Ambitious plans have been made for Phase II of the modernisation of the Chennai airport, but the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is now being questioned over its failure to utilise the arrival hall of the new international terminal inaugurated four years ago.
Officials from the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), a statutory body established in 2009 to determine tariffs with respect to services provided at major facilities across the country, inspected the airport and looked at the amenities available on various fronts.
When asked about the non-utilisation of the hall, AAI officials said that stakeholders, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airlines, customs and immigration had told them that they may not be able operate in both (old and new arrival) halls at the same time, an official of AERA said.
“It is public money that has been invested. Hence, we wanted to know the reason. But now, they have planned better by deciding to build new terminals [as part of Phase II modernisation],” the official said.
Cargo terminal
They also visited the cargo terminal and facilities on Friday.
“We are quite happy with the cargo terminal, but there are improvements that can be done. But it is way better than many other terminals,” he said.
Phase I modernisation of the airport with new terminals, fire stations and many other facilities was carried out at a cost of ₹2,300 crore and inaugurated four years ago.
But the arrival hall of the international terminal has not been opened so far and passengers continue to use the arrival hall in the old terminal.
Now, there is a proposal to modernise the airport at a cost of ₹2,500 crore that will be completed in a few years.
The project awaits final approval and officials said that work is likely to start next year.
