June 9, 2011: With the date fast approaching when Chandigarh airport starts operating international flights, there has been a sudden realization that there is no passenger accommodation in the immediate area. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to solve the issue by constructing dormitories on the airport property.
The nearest accommodations are in the city, about 12 km from the airport. This is because the land surrounding the airport is under control of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Ministry of Defence.
According to AAI officials, passengers in need of accommodation would have access to around 10 beds on a first come, first serve basis.
The officials said that the facility is not meant as a regular booking hotel; it is a convenience being added for passengers who get stuck at the airport due to a complication and who may not know their way around Chandigarh. The dormitory facility, which is being set up in the new terminal building’s administrative block, is expected to be functional by October.
Captain H S Toor, director of the airport, added that AAI officials would periodically use the dormitories when conducting official visits to the airport.