The Tuticorin Airport in Tamil Nadu, operated by the Airport Authority of India, is undergoing significant upgrades in order to meet the need for better services and connections and the growing passenger traffic. The Airports Authority of India posted pictures of the mid-construction airport on its official Twitter handle. Here is everything you need to know about the upgrade of this airport in Tamil Nadu.
Tuticorin Airport Upgrade: Progress
It costs Rs. 381 crore and comprises building a new apron, terminal building, technical block, control tower, and fire station, in addition to extending the runway to accommodate the operation of A321 aircraft.
The new terminal building, which has a 13500-square-meter floor area, can accommodate 600 passengers at peak times. The structure will have all current amenities for passengers, including two aerobridges, automobile parking spaces, and a new approach road.
The project also includes auxiliary construction such as the Fire Station, Apron, Extension of the runway, and others. The peak-hour passenger handling capacity will increase from 80 to 600 once NTB is finished.
Additionally, the Runway’s length is being increased from 1350m x 30m to 3115m x 45m. Modern materials and textures are used to express the city’s culture and colors throughout the building.
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Inspired By Chettinad Cottages
The new terminal’s intuitive form will give the southern region a distinctive architectural character. It will add new depth to the terminal’s design. Chettinad cottages are the real inspiration behind it. The new terminal at Tuticorin airport will be an environmentally friendly structure, as it has a four-star GRIHA rating.
The project to expand the airport also entails work to enlarge, extend, and strengthen the current runway so that it can accommodate the operation of aircraft of the A-321 type. The proposal also includes building a new ATC tower, a technical block, a fire station, an isolation bay, and five aircraft parking bays for A-321-type aircraft.
The airport’s upgrade would not only satisfy the local community’s need for improved passenger services, but it would also encourage trade and tourism in Tuticorin and other areas like Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari.
This substantial upgrade project cost a total of 380.87 crore. The upgrade and expansion of the airport are anticipated to be finished by December 2023. (As per government press release)
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Cover Image Courtesy: @aai/Twitter