Bhubaneswar: A completely new terminal will be constructed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in next two years to cater the growing demand of visitors in the airport.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu today reviewed the functioning of BPIA.
Speaking to media persons, Shri Naidu said that the annual passenger handling capacity of BPIA’s terminal-1 is 40 lakh but it is experiencing a footfall of about 50 lakh now.
“Within a month, permission will be given to the airport to augment its footfall capacity to 80 lakhs by constructing a new terminal,” he said.
There is unused land near Terminal-1 and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had requested to develop it to enhance the airport’s infrastructure. It has been decided to construct Terminal-3 on the vacant land.
Shri Naidu also emphasised the significant growth of BPIA, which currently connects to 20 cities across India and four international destinations.
The Union Minister also said that a lot of small works like extension and other passenger amenities are already underway and will be completed within a month. The existing Instrument Landing System (ILS) will also be upgraded within a month, he said.
He pointed out that Bhubaneswar airport has developed a lot in recent years and is connected to at least 20 cities as well as four international destinations. There is a double-engine government now and all efforts are being made to take forward the civil aviation industry in Odisha.
The Minister also said that the Ministry will consider the demands of introducing air connectivity from Bhubaneswar to Jammu, Surat, Jaipur and Vizag.
Replying to a question on the proposed airport at Puri, Shri Naidu said the state government started the land acquisition process for the proposed international airport and the Centre has also given site clearance.
“We will extend all support to the Odisha government to ensure its timely completion of the proposed airport in Puri,” he assured.