Mumbai airport: Manmohan 'checks-in' for new T2 inauguration

, Jan 10: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to inaugurate the Terminal 2 of the re-constructed Chhatrapati Shivaji international

. Costing over, Rs 12,500 crores, it took about 7 years to renovate the infrastructure.

Spread over 14,00 acres, the airport proves to be a lifeline for the city, controlling the heavy footfall throughout the year. In fact, it is estimated that the airport witnesses an annual traffic of 40 million passengers.

The four-storey terminal would mainly cater to the international flights with 188 check-in counters, 76 immigration counters for the arriving and 60 immigration counters for the departing passengers.

The airport would be under strict vigilance with about 2300 CCTV cameras and 4100 public address speakers. It will doubly function as a cultural hub with a 3-kilometer long art walk with a whitw peacock theme in the X-shaped terminal.

After witnessing hurdles during the Assembly elections, the project finally saw the first light of the day today.

Traffic to be thrown out of gear from 3 pm

Traffic police warns that the Western Express Highway may be uncontrollable when PM Manmohan Singh visits on Friday. According to reports he would be landing at Mumbai's domestic terminal in Santacruz at 2pm. He will head to Parel, before returning to Sahar for the inauguration.

"No traffic restrictions have been announced. The PM will travel to Parel via WEH-Dharavi-Ambedkar Road. Motorists may experience traffic disruptions on the south-bound stretch of the WEH around 3pm," said an official.

He further added," Traffic snarls are likely on the north-bound stretch of the WEH around 4.30pm. We suggest motorists use alternative routes and flyers should leave early."

OneIndia News