Pune Airport’s New Terminal Faces Delays Due to Pending Security Clearance

Pune, 17th April 2024: Pune Airport’s new terminal, inaugurated a month ago on March 10, is facing delays in its opening due to a lack of clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Initially, the Airports Authority of India planned to open the terminal on April 1, but the timeline was postponed until April 15, and now further delays have been attributed to technical reasons and pending approvals.

Despite the completion of tests and submission of proposals for security clearance, the airport authority is still awaiting approval from BCAS. Additionally, 231 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel need to be deployed at the new terminal, which has yet to be approved. The delay in opening the new terminal is causing congestion and inconvenience at the old terminal and delaying its renovation.

Santosh Dhoke, Director of Pune Airport, expressed optimism that approval would be granted soon following the BCAS inspection.

Passengers have expressed their frustration over the delay, questioning whether the timing of the terminal’s opening is politically motivated with elections approaching. This situation is seen as an example of inefficient governance.

The new terminal’s features include a total area of 52,000 square meters, a passenger capacity of 3,000 per hour, and an annual passenger capacity of 9 million. Other features include 15 passenger lifts, 8 escalators, 34 check-in counters, parking capacity for 1,000 cars, and a total cost of Rs. 475 crores.

Factors causing the new terminal’s delay include:
– Pending Department of Aviation Safety approval
– Recruitment of additional 231 CISF personnel
– Approval for catering services and shops to begin operations