Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Sep 14: Mangaluru International Airport is all set to undertake several development works in the next two years.

Addressing media here on Friday, September 14, Airport Authority of India additional regional director S Srikumar said,” Mangaluru International Airport is consistently performing well. In the year 2012, the passenger movement at Mangaluru airport was 7.5 lac and in the last five years the passenger movement has reached up to 23.5 lac. The cargo handled in the year 2016- 17 was 867 metric ton and in 2017-18 it was 2,338 metric ton. This progress indicates 100% growth in the one year.”

“Considering this progress, we have designed a master plan to develop this airport. The extension of terminal building worth Rs 1332.24 crore, increase in area by 10,000 square meters, two additional passenger boarding bridges, visa on arrival facility, upgrading the present single baggage conveyer belt in international arrival section to three and similarly domestic section baggage conveyers will be upgraded to three,” he said.

“Currently there is a chaos as the both the arriving and departing passengers use the same level to enter and exit. After completion of project, the arriving passengers will be brought down to a new arrival hall at car park level. The elevated level will be only for departure. Project is expected to complete on April 2020,” he added.

“Widening of basic safety strip of runway and constructing of part parallel taxi track phase II worth Rs 121 crore will be taken up. This is to enhance the safety of air operation to international standards and also enhance runway handling capacity of present 10 flights per hour to 20 flights per hour. This project is expected to complete by August 2019,” Srikumar informed.

“Extension of aircraft parking bays worth Rs 7 crore to accommodate more flights and to offer night parking facilities to airlines is expected to complete by September 2019. Facelift of terminal building worth Rs 7.50 crore, complete renovation of terminal building wash rooms to international standards, minor expansions of domestic SHA, modern state of art false ceiling, claddings, planters etc are some of the works to be taken up. In order to showcase the local art inside the terminal building there are plans to install guthu styled pillars, tiger dance and Yakshagana figures, modern art,” he said.

He further added that new state of art and advanced air navigation systems like DCOR, Radar, ILS and advanced security system like threat containment vehicle to handle bombs, CCTV, CATFM are being introduced in Mangaluru International Airport.

AAI has undertaken several activities under CSR such as constructing Malavoor drainage system worth Rs 6.75 crore as presently no storm water drainage system is present beyond AAI boundary in Malavoor village. “District authority requested AAI to fund this project and AAI agreed for the same. MOU was signed with district administration, the work will be carried out by Panchayat Raj Engineering Department and cost will be borne by AAI. Construction of Anganvadi in Malavoor village worth Rs 14 lac, construction of memorial for air accident victims at NMPT garden and providing bore wells in the villages are some of the works planned,” he said.

Airport director Venkateshwara Rao was present.