PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new terminal at Chandigarh airport

Chandigarh got a new civil air terminal on Friday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the 305-acre complex in Punjab's Mohali district (adjoining Chandigarh).

All domestic flights operating to and from Chandigarh are likely to be shifted to the new terminal from next month. The new terminal is equipped to handle international flights and passengers also. An international flight, the first one from Chandigarh, to Dubai is likely to begin later next month, airport officials said.

Greeting Hon'ble PM @narendramodi as he arrived in Chandigarh for the inauguration of the New Civil Air Terminal. pic.twitter.com/bIvavEFec3

Manohar Lal Khattar (@mlkhattar) September 11, 2015

The new terminal building has a peak hour handling capacity of 1,600 passengers with a built area of 53,400 square metres. The terminal has been constructed within stipulated time at a cost of Rs 939 crore.

It has 48 check-in counters, four long baggage conveyor belts, three passenger boarding bridges (aerobridges), parking for 500 cars, cargo apron and can handle various types of aircraft.

"Airports Authority of India (AAI) has introduced ample green features in the new Civil Air Terminal which include LED Lighting, Energy efficient chillers, double insulated roofing system, rain water harvesting etc," a spokesman said.

The prime minister went around the new civil terminal of the airport, accompanied by Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher.

The new terminal, which generated a lot of controversy between Punjab and Haryana states in recent years over its naming, is a joint venture by the name of Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL). It has the participation of AAI, government of Punjab and government of Haryana with the equity status of 51 per cent by AAI and 24.5 per cent of both states.

The terminal has an elevated departure road and a separate arrival area.