Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Apr 4: The terminal building of the Mangaluru International Airport will be extended and will include a new arrival hall. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 132 crore.
Tender is being called for the extension work and work will start soon. The project will get over in two years as per the information given by V V Rao, director of the airport at a press conference on Tuesday, April 3.
The first floor of the building extension will be reserved for departures and second floor for arrivals.
International passengers will benefit greatly from the construction of the new arrival hall. The present arrival hall has a capacity to hold 250 people, whereas the new one can accommodate 600 people. Action is taken to extend the arrival hall keeping in view of the crowd of passengers.
Rapidly developing airport
Mangaluru International Airport is considered as the airport that is getting developed at a rapid pace in the whole of south India. So far till April in the period of 2017-18, 23.5 lac passengers have travelled through this airport. This year the aim is to attract nearly 30 lac passengers. Every day 30 to 40 international, domestic and commercial flights land and take off from this airport. There is a 30% increase in the cargo handling at the airport.
To the query of journalists regarding the increase of the number of flights to Gulf region, V V Rao said, "Respective airline authorities have to decide on this matter taking into consideration the density of passengers."
Free Wi-Fi
Very soon the passengers will get a free Wi-Fi facility for 45 minutes at the airport.
Jasmine fragrance in the airport
The aroma of fresh Jasmine flowers welcomes the passengers as they enter the Mangaluru International Airport. Machines which automatically dispense the fragrance of Jasmine are placed in strategic points inside the airport. The aim of this facility is to spread the fame of 'Mangaluru Jasmine', which is world renowned, as per the information given by V V Rao.
Steps are taken to display portraits depicting the regionalism and culture of Mangaluru on the walls inside and outside the airport. The cost of this is estimated at Rs1 crore. Passengers can get a birds view of the beautiful culture of Mangaluru in the airport itself.
Proud receiver of 'Cleanest Airport Award'
"Mangaluru International Airport has received the unique distinction of cleanest airport in India in the small airport category. This award was given in the survey that was carried out in February by the central government authority for the airports which handle 15 to 50 lac passengers in a year. Thiruvananthapuram and Gauhati have bagged the second and third place respectively," disclosed V V Rao.