Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new terminal at Chandigarh airport which will handle both domestic and international flights while the existing terminal building will be used for other civil aviation purposes. The new terminal will boost the economic and industrial development in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
The INR 939-crore project will be operated and maintained by Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL), a joint venture between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the governments of Punjab and Haryana. AAI has 51 % stake in the project while Punjab and Haryana have 24.5 % equity each. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor, Punjab and Haryana and Administrator, Chandigarh, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab were present for the event. Designed on the green building concept, the terminal in Mohali (Punjab) is spread over 53,000 sq m and can handle 1,600 passengers, including 450 international travellers, during peak time.
The apron capacity of the airport will be 8 aircraft, including cargo planes. With parking facility for 500 cars, it is equipped with 48 check—in counters, nine immigration counters, four arrival baggage carousels, three passenger boarding bridges, six escalators and 14 lifts. Depicting heritage and culture of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with murals, paintings and sculptures, the terminal building has five levels with arrival hall at ground floor, departures in the first floor and services, including baggage handling system, and offices in the basement.
