The Phase 1 expansion of Chennai airport is likely to be completed by 2020 and will pave the way for T2, a new integrated terminal building to take care of international traffic movement, said C.V. Deepak, officiating director, Chennai International Airport.
“After the expansion, the demolition of existing terminals will start. By February 2022, we will have an integrated terminal with the capability to handle traffic of 40 million, envisaged for 2032-2035,” Mr. Deepak said delivering a special address at the 4th edition of Chennaiinfra, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.
In 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the ₹2,467 crore expansion project for Chennai airport.
‘Need second airport’
“Given that the traffic is estimated to be 35-40 million, there is an eminent need for a second airport,” Mr. Deepak said.
“For the second airport, it is not only important to look at airport infrastructure, but also additional infrastructure for the airport, including highway and Metro rail connectivity. These things will play a role in the success of the second airport,” he noted.
‘22 million last year’
The existing airport has a capacity handle a traffic of 15 million, but last year (fiscal 2019) it touched 22 million, which was put a lot of pressure on the existing infrastructure, he said.
Till November, the airport had already handled 15 million passengers and this fiscal it would cross 22 million, Mr. Deepak added. In the next 6-8 months, the airport would be able to handle the late night passenger traffic in the main building itself, he assured.
