Rs 951 crore proposal for new modern terminal at Tiruchy airport

The expansion work in an area of 60,723 sq metres at an estimated cost of Rs 951 crore is awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The nod from the ministry  is expected by the end of this month. The existing terminal started operations in 2009 and is capable of handling 400 passengers during peak hours. The proposed integrated international passenger terminal would increase the peak hour capacity to 2,900 passengers. 

The two-level integrated building will have a basement with air-side corridor for the approach road, a canopy for passengers and a state-of-the-art inclined conveyor system for baggage retrieval. As part of the project, a multi-level car park, to accommodate as many as 750 cars, and a taxi parking area to house 250 taxis are to be set up. 

A new four-lane approach road to the proposed international terminal, new ATC tower-cum-technical block, aprons for 10 Code C type of aircraft, as many as 118 residential quarters, transit accommodation for AAI staff and accommodation for CISF will also be constructed. Meanwhile, the AAI which had already conducted soil tests, assured the Environment and Forest Ministry that hazardous wastes generated during construction phase, such as paints, solvents, wood preservatives, pesticides, adhesives and sealants would be stored on site in sealed containers, labelled, and disposed as per the Hazardous Wastes Management and Handling Act Amendment Rules (MoEF, 2003).  

The total domestic waste water generated from the facility would be treated in a proposed sewage treatment plant. No wastewater would l be discharged outside the airport premises, the AAI had assured the environment agency. Tiruchy Airport Director K Gunasekaran said, “We have received an assurance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the project may be cleared soon.