AAI floats tender for expanding Coimbatore airport

Tiruchirapalli, Mar 7 (UNI) The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has floated a tender of Rs 78 crore for expansion of the terminal building at Coimbatore airport and the work is expected to be completed within two years, according to Coimbatore Airport Director K Hemalatha.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the International Women's Day celebrations, jointly organised by the Cauveri College for Women and Red Ribbon Club here today, she said the proposed expansion work include construction of two passenger bridges between the aircraft and the terminal and separate domestic and international terminals for both departure and arrivals.

After the proposed expansion of the two-storey building was completed, an additional area of 8,000 sq metre will be available for the air passengers and AAI operations, she added.

The airport will be able to handle 700 passengers daily as against the existing 300 passengers, she pointed out.

The widening of runway from 8,500 sq ft to 9,800 sq ft was already completed and this will enable to handle wide-bodied aircraft.

The AAI has proposed to expand the parking area also in order to park eight to nine flights, from the existing space for six flights, at a cost of Rs 12.5 crore. '' We are waiting for the AAI's approval for the proposed parallel taxi track at a cost of Rs 32 crore,'' she added.

Plans were also afoot to expand the existing cargo complex to increase the capacity from 40 tonnes to 80 tonnes, at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore and another proposal to establish a modernised fire station at a cost of Rs 2.6 crore, she said.

The AAI had already asked the national air carriers to step up their cargo operations from Coimbatore, she added.

Earlier, speaking at the women's day celebrations, she called upon the students to create awareness about the evils of gender discrimination.

UNI RV GKT AK RN1724