Phase II of the modernisation of Chennai airport, which will include construction of a new integrated terminal, modification of the existing terminals and a host of other facilities, is all set to commence in a few weeks.
L&T has bagged the contract to build the new terminal and will start work soon with the entire project likely to be completed by mid-2021, sources said.
The new terminal will focus on Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage, and showcase paintings, murals and sculptures.
"We had a small ceremony to formally begin the project. The contractor will start the work soon. Just recently, the defunct Kamaraj Domestic Terminal was pulled down; in that space, the contractor will begin construction work. Subsequently, the Anna International Terminal too will be demolished for construction work,” an official said.
Once ready, the new terminal will be put to use as the international terminal. The existing domestic and international terminals will be modified to serve as domestic terminals.
Challenges ahead
Officials said that passengers may have to face some inconvenience owing to construction activity. “We are trying our best to mitigate it,” an official said.
That apart, the demolitions will throw up challenges as well. For instance, the arrival hall of the Anna International Terminal continues to be in use as the international terminal only handles departures. This is because the arrivals hall is yet to be shifted from the old to the current terminal owing to lack of customs and immigration staff.
"So, it's still not clear how the arrivals hall will be moved to the existing international terminal and how construction work can be taken up. It is going to be quite difficult but we will chalk out plans to handle it," the official added.
Sources said that the existing terminals are already congested and unless the new project is completed on time, it really won't serve the purpose. "Only in 2013, phase I of the modernisation was completed for ₹2,000 crore and now again, there is an expenditure of another ₹2,500 crore. It has to be carried out on time and executed well, unlike the phase I project," a source said.
Phase I turned out be a major disappointment for passengers as the terminals opened after a long delay and there were frequent instances of glass panels cracking, false ceiling collpses and dirty toilets.