PM Modi inaugurates new airport terminal in north India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new airport terminal in northern Chandigarh city on Friday (11), which will cater to both domestic and international flights.

Modi was accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Chief Ministers of northern states of Punjab and Haryana, Parkash Singh Badal and Manohar Lal Khattar respectively, and Governor of Punjab and Haryana and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Kaptan Singh Solanki.

As per reports, Modi dedicated the facility to the nation. The terminal is expected to boost industrial and economic development in Punjab and Haryana.

The new air terminal is a joint venture by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the two states of Punjab and Haryana who share their capital, Chandigarh.

“The new terminal will accommodate four times the number of passengers the old terminal used to, looking at the growth rate which was at 15 percent last year. The area of the terminal is 53,000 square meters. The unique thing about this airport is it is the first one in India which has been made by the involvement of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and two states - Haryana and Punjab,” said AAI Chairman R.K. Srivastava.

He added that while Punjab and Haryana had 49 percent stake in the project, the AAI had a 51% stake. The new terminal has been constructed at a cost of rupees 939 crore ($ 141 million).

Once operational, the new terminal will be able to handle more than 1,500 travelers during peak time. The terminal will be able to accommodate eight aircraft, including cargo planes. It is also equipped with 48 check-in counters, nine immigration counters, four arrival baggage carousels and three passenger boarding bridges, according to reports.