Construction of a futuristic new international passenger terminal building for the fast growing Tiruchi international airport is set to begin soon with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) calling for tenders for the project.
The proposed two-level terminal building would come up adjoining the existing one at this non-metro airport with an elevated road along with an array of facilities. The blueprint has been drawn up by a French consultant engaged by the Airports Authority of India which has also provided the necessary logistical support in giving shape to the structural design of the new building.
“The blueprint has been finalised and tenders have now been called for selection of eligible agency for the construction,” a senior AAI official told The Hindu on Thursday. The design of the new terminal building has been drawn up taking into account the peak hour demand and anticipating growth of passenger traffic over the next 15 years.
It would come up on an area exceeding 60,000 square metres on the site owned by the AAI adjoining the existing terminal building with basement and air-side corridor. The new building would come up at an estimated cost exceeding ₹ 621 crore. It would be a composite work which also includes IT and electromechanical works, said the official.
With the tenders having been floated, the AAI expects visit of prospective bidders to examine the proposed site next month or in August and to have a look at the blueprint of the structure. The new structure would also be environment - friendly and energy efficient besides conforming to the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) Norms, said the official.
The construction of a new terminal building with all-inclusive facilities was necessitated by the sharp rise in passenger traffic at the Tiruchi airport which has direct connectivity to select overseas destinations - Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sharjah and Dubai besides domestic flights to Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi. The official said the construction works would be completed in three years from the time of award of the contract to the identified agency.
New apron
Simultaneously, the AAI has also floated tender for the construction of an apron at a cost of ₹ 60 crore at the Tiruchi airport which handled over 15 lakh passengers during the 2017-18 financial year.
The new apron would have 10 bays for parking of flights. The Project Management Consultant would monitor the entire pace of the terminal building construction works. The was expected to commence before this year and plans were also afoot to construct a new technical block-cum Air Traffic Control tower at the airport.
