The Airport Authority of India and the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation will commence the construction work of the new Bagdogra terminal from next month ie. March 2024.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and the chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee said
“The foundation stone for the new terminal and infrastructure expansion will be laid next month. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore for the project and half of the amount will be spent in the first phase. For civil projects, the tender process of Rs 1,000 crore has been completed and a Bangalore-based firm will carry out the work. The remaining amount of Rs 500 crore would be spent on interiors,”.
Airport Advisory Committee said in a meeting
After the meeting that was held on Thursday at the airport by the members of the committee, Bista said that the initial phase of the airport project will be completed by April 2026, and the first phase includes size aero bridges with four remote bridges. in this second phase the number of aerobridges will increase to ten along with two remote bridges that enable the airport to manage about 16 flights side by side. It will be a significant enhancement of the flights in comparison to the existing one that is about four to five.
He added
“Once the second phase is complete, the number of aerobridges will increase to 10 while two more remote bridges will be added. This means, unlike four or five flights which can stand (in parking bays) now, 16 flights would be able to stand at the airport,”.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista
He explained as per the plan the first phase will include a terminal with an area of 70000 sq metres and another 50,000 sq meters will be added to the new terminal. Currently the terminal is spread in about 10,000 sq meters. Mr Bista also discussed the work which has been taken up at the existing terminal.
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He said
“The sitting capacity has been increased at the building and now, 700 to 800 people can sit in the security hold area. A canopy would be installed outside the building by spending Rs 2 crore so that people do not face problems during scorching sunshine and rain. Seven kiosks have been installed for boarding passes,” .
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista
Bagdogra Airport, also popularly known as Siliguri International Airport, is the second busiest airport that serves as a gateway to most preferred holiday destinations in North Bengal comprising Gangtok, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Mirik and Kurseong. The terminal is located 9 km southwest of the city center in Bagdogra, and it also operates as a civil enclave at Bagdogra Air Force Station. Since 2002 the airport is recognized as a limited international airport that provides services to many destinations including Paro, Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi.
According to the speculated news, PM Narendra Modi may lay the foundation stone to commence the new terminal construction of Bagdogra Airport in the first week of March in Siliguri. However it is still not clear whether he will be present virtually or physically. When asked to comment on this,
Mr Raju Bista said,
“The construction of a new Bagdogra airport terminal, the first phase, will begin shortly here and bhumi pujan will be held in the first week of March. I should not speak of the Prime Minister’s schedule until the Prime Minister’s Office finalises it.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista
According to some sources, a digital marketing agency in siliguri is sponsoring this event and has said to distribute free snacks and water during the event to the people at Bagdogra airport.
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