A special aircraft carrying cars and cargo from China is likely to arrive at the Chennai airport in a few days, ahead of the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.
“A Boeing 747 may be arriving early next week carrying their cars. It is not clear how many will be transported. The aircraft will carry everything the Chinese President and his personnel will need for their stay here for two days, from October 11 to 13,” an official said.
Chinese personnel recently conducted an inspection of the airport to check security and infrastructure, and in a few days, personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG) will also arrive in the city to carry out their inspection of the airport, sources said.
For a brief period when the Chinese President arrives, there will be no domestic and international flights; airlines will be informed so they can reschedule flights. There will be dance and music when the Chinese President’s aircraft lands, and a space is being earmarked for the performances in the operational area of the airport, another official said.
Range of activities
The airport is abuzz with a slew of activities to prepare for the dignitary’s visit and is being spruced up.
Officials of the Airports Authority of India said the walls near gates 5 and 6 are being repainted. Soon, there will be murals on the walls. A mini roundtana-like facility will be created with landscaping. “A massive clean-up is happening at the airport,” he added.
A vertical garden will be created at the Chennai Metro pillar near the Meenambakkam station. The Chennai Metro has already begun cleaning pillars and removing posters. It has warned that pasting posters will invite a fine of ₹1,000 or imprisonment up to a term of six months.
There may also be a rejig of security personnel at Metro stations, said CMRL officials.
