With the Kannur International Airport set to begin operations in September, the board of directors of Kannur International Airport Ltd. (KIAL) has sanctioned development works estimated at ₹113 crore.
A press release here said the project sanctioned by the board included construction of a 18.3-km road along the periphery of the airport. This road will facilitate easy access in emergency situations and enhance the safety and security of the airport, the release noted. The works also include an international air cargo complex, a modern administration block, barrack for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, and landscaping of the area.
The landscaping work will cover the area in front of the passenger terminal building, roundabouts and dividers, the release said. The CISF barrack will comprise a 4-storey building block of 6,192 sq. m with a dormitory of 356 beds, apart from double and single rooms. There will also be a separate unit quarter guard and a kennel building for sniffer dogs, it said. The air cargo complex of 1.05 lakh sq. ft. will be equipped with modern facilities to handle perishable and general cargo. There will be dedicated zones such as perishable cargo export zone, international general cargo export zone, international general cargo import zone, apart from office spaces, the release said.
There would be a gatehouse of 631 sq. m with visitors’ waiting area, security check, drivers’ rest room and offices, among others. Once the construction of the cargo complex is completed in a year’s time, Kannur International Airport is set to become the cargo hub for the region, it added. It is also expected to create export opportunities for handloom, coffee, fish, meat, spices, pharmaceuticals and flowers and boost the economy of the region, the release said noting that the modular format of the cargo complex will facilitate future expansion as per requirement.
The release also informed that Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, will hold a meeting of all Union government agencies concerned to expedite the clearances for the Kannur airport as well as to discuss future plans of the airport. Officials of Kannur airport will attend the meeting, it added.
