Oct 11, 2010: Plans for the Chandigarh International Airport, which will have its first phase of construction completed in 2013, reportedly include a green building with solar panels. The detailed project report is being prepared for the International Airport construction, which has already had Rs 500 crore allocated to it by Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The funds were sanctioned in late September when a meeting was held in Delhi between AAI and board members of the joint venture company overseeing the project. In addition to sanctioning these funds, AAI is having its engineering wing prepare the detailed project report and submit it as soon as possible.
An AAI officer said that the airport will have three terminals with a capacity to handle 1,500 passengers during peak hours as well as a cargo terminal. One of the buildings will be a modular green building with power provided by solar panels and shopping malls, restaurants and a metro station will all be on site. The totally air-conditioned terminals will include waiting lodges for passengers and those accompanying them to the airport.
All three planned terminals will have two-deck buildings, with arrivals at the ground level and departures at the upper level. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi was planned similarly.
The first phase, in which one terminal will be constructed, is expected to be completed by 2013, according to sources. Rs 350 crore has been earmarked for this portion of the project. Annual passenger traffic should go up to 15 lakhs in 2013. This is more than double the current 6 lakh passengers going through the airport. The project’s full completion date is estimated at 2050.
First phase construction plans for the first terminal include four glass aerobridges supported by an iron and steel frame, parking for 26 aircraft, a taxiway and a runway that will be of 9,000 feet long. This runway will be extended to 10,500 feet in the second phase. Two 350 vehicle capacity parking lots will be constructed, allowing car parking for 700 vehicles. The airport’s three entrances will lead in from each of the major surrounding areas: Mohali, Zirakpur and Chandigarh. According to AAI sources, the draft plan also includes a new air traffic control (ATC) building and the new cargo terminal.