New terminal to give passengers a breather

The AAI has built a new state-of-the-art terminal at Lohegaon airport for domestic flights; promise comforts like aero bridges, baggage conveyers, escalators, elevators to passengers

New terminal to give passengers a breather

The AAI has built a new state-of-the-art terminal at Lohegaon airport for domestic flights; promise comforts like aero bridges, baggage conveyers, escalators, elevators to passengers

There's good news for those who frequent Lohegaon airport. Passengers won't have to battle for seats in overcrowded waiting rooms.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has constructed a new terminal for domestic flights, which will be operational by the end of this month.

The passengers will have access to comforts like centralised air-conditioning, aero bridges, baggage conveyers and escalators.

G Chandramouli, the airport director, said, "The AAI has spent a whopping Rs 70 crore for this new building which is spread across 6,000 sq feet."

He added that the building would possess state-of-the-art facilities and will have some features that aren't available in the existing buildings.

Chandramouli said they had planned to throw open the building in March. However, as the security agency that had visited the airport to evaluate security arrangements suggested some changes, the plan got delayed.
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"The changes suggested by the security agency are being made and after conducing the final evaluation, the building will be thrown open for public use," he added.

Rumours

However, there were rumours that the new building will see an elaborate inauguration ceremony by the hands of the aviation minister sworn in by the new government.

Rubbishing the buzz, Chandramouli said, "There will be no such ceremony for the new departure terminal, but we are discussing the inauguration of the Arrivals Hall which is still under construction and will be ready by the month of May."

What's more, the authorities are also in the process of finalising a plan for another building meant for international arrivals.

Since this building is likely to be constructed between the old and the new buildings, a part of the old building will be demolished. Hence, the authorities are giving the proposal a serious thought before taking any decision.

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