Imphal airport set for major upgrade
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01 2019:
Imphal International Airport will soon see a major upgrade with the construction of a new terminal building which would be five times bigger than the existing one.
Briefing media persons at the airport's conference hall this afternoon, Airport Authority of India (AAI), North East Region Executive Director Sanjeev Jindal said that the new project would cost over Rs 720 crore.
An international levelj consultant group led by Kochi based KITCO Ltd has been entrusted to design and take care of other architectural works of the new terminal building.
Given Manipur's pristine beauty and captivating landscape, architectural works of the new terminal building would lay due emphasis on local architectural features, Sanjeev Jindal said.
He said that AAI is a responsible organisation which does not depend on others in constructing international airports and undertaking development works.
The Executive Director also assured that construction and expansion of the new terminal building would not affect local environment or the livelihood of local people.
When the new terminal building which would be five times bigger than the existing one is constructed and commissioned, greater number of domestic and international airlines will operate to and from Imphal International Airport.
There would be Imphal-Mandalay, Imphal-Dhaka and other international flights which would connect Imphal with many foreign countries, he said.
On domestic front, plans are afoot to launch Imphal-Aizawl, Imphal-Silchar and Imphal-Itanagar flights.
By that time, annual power requirement at Imphal International Airport would be 2.2 MW.
This power requirement would be met with power generated from solar power plant but conventional electricity would not be tapped to meet the additional power requirement, Sanjeev said.
At the same time, daily requirement of potable water as well as non-potable water at the airport would also rise to two lakh litres each.
But the airport would not use a single drop of water from outside.
The water requirement would be met by harvesting rain water.
Moreover, a complete sewerage system would be setup inside the airport complex to cater to the need for non-potable water.
The AAI North East Region Executive Director informed that they are planning to begin construction of the new terminal from October 2 this year, and it would be completed within three years.
The project requires approvals of different bodies including the Ministry of Environment's Public Investment Board.
Nonetheless, AAI has been working hard to meet the target, he said.
Imphal International Airport would not require any additional land for development of infrastructure including the proposed new terminal building during the next 15 years, Sanjeev Jindal added.