In order to reduce congestion at Tiruchirappalli Airport, Airports Authority of India has undertaken the expansion work which includes Construction of a New Integrated Passenger Terminal Building, a new Apron, Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and upgradation of Air side facilities.
The existing integrated passenger terminal is in use for both international and domestic air traffic and has exhausted its design capacity. The new terminal building being constructed at the cost of Rs.951.28 Crores has been designed to process 2900 passengers during peak hours. Equipped with 48 check-in counters and 10 boarding bridges, the terminal willbe an energy efficient building with sustainable features.
With an area of 75000sqm, the new terminal building has been designed as an iconic structure of dynamic and dramatic building form with majestic roof which gives the structure an iconic look. The interiors of the building reflect the colors and culture of the city through materials and textures in a contemporary manner.
The intuitive form of the new terminal will create a unique architectural identity in southern region and will add a new dimension to the terminal design. Strong references to the local culture and traditional architecture will be expressed by the building’s architecture. Arriving and departing passengers will sense this identity and reference to the place.
The expansion project includes construction of new Apron, Associated Taxiways, Isolation Bay to make the airport suitable for Multiple Apron Ramp System i.e. five wide- body(Code E) and 10 narrow body aircraft (Code C).Other than this, construction of a Control Room, supporting Equipment Rooms, Terminal RADAR, RADAR simulation, Automation facilities, VHF, AAI offices and Meteorological offices are also the part of the project.
More than 40% of the construction work for terminal building is completed and the project will be ready by March, 2022. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for construction of New Terminal Building on 10thFebruary, 2019through video link from Tirupur in Tamil Nadu.
(News feed from Corporate Communications Directorate, AAI HQ)