Pune Airport’s New Terminal Faces Further Delay
Viman Nagar, 27th October 2023: The inauguration of the much-anticipated new terminal building at Lohegaon airport has encountered another setback, with expectations now set for mid-December or early January of the coming year. Initially slated for commissioning this month, the Rs475 crore project has faced repeated delays, missing four to five deadlines.
Authorities attribute the initial delay to pandemic-related challenges, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) headquarters proposing additional arrangements in response to congestion issues faced by major airports nationwide. The need to increase the number of scanning machines near security hold areas from eight to twelve prompted modifications and additional space creation in the new building. Construction is underway, and completion is anticipated by November, followed by test runs.
“We aim to complete everything at once to ensure a seamless experience for flyers,” stated a senior airport official.
Regarding the integration of the new building with the existing one, the official reported the completion of the first phase, with the second phase targeted for completion within a week. A request for the building’s inauguration has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, awaiting a response.
Under the revised plan, the first-floor arrival area of the existing building will merge with the new structure to serve as a security hold area. The AAI plans to later redevelop the existing building, making both structures fully operational.
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