Chennai airport implementing devp programme

Chennai, Jun 22: Amidst the debate over acquring land for expansion and the construction of a new airport, Chennai airport both domestic and international, are in the process of becoming more passenger friendly.

According to Airport Director Mr Dinesh Kumar, as part of the expansion works already going on, 19 new bays have been planned. Out of this, two are ready while two more will be so by September this year.

He said out of the remaining 15, ten will be on the northern side of the runway and five on the eastern side of the secondary runway.

''By this year end, the 15 bays are likely to be ready'', he said.

Mr Kumar said more passenger areas were also being planned.

Asked about plans for development of the domestic airport, he said 775 square metres of the domestic terminal expansion has been planned. The security hold area will also be expanded by 150 square metres. ''It will be redisigned with new construction so that the flow of passengers is more orderly'', he said.

He said the expansion was inevitable in view of the increase in international traffic by 29 per cent since last year vis-a- vis nine per cent increase in domestic traffic.

The airport director said 'swagat seva', public service counters have already been opened at international and domestic terminals to assist passengers, by charging a small fee. More customer service counters manned by external hospitality professionals are also being planned, he said. Asked about development of Anna international airport, he said expansion over 12000 square metres covering two floors was also on anvil. The ground floor covering about 7500 square metres would be ready by October this year, he pointed out.

''There is also going to be a lot of improvement in aesthetics'and looks'' in the domestic and international airports, he said, adding more passenger areas would also be provided.

UNI