Andhra Pradesh: Scindia Lays Foundation Stone For New State-Of-The-Art Terminal Building At Rajahmundry Airport

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Rajahmundry Airport on Sunday (10 December). The terminal building will be developed on 17,029 sq m which is 400 times of the existing terminal building.

The new terminal aims for a 5-star GRIHA rating, combining local art, culture, and sustainable design in a harmonious and environmentally conscious manner.

While the terminal will ensure thermal insulation and energy efficiency, LED lighting offers a vibrant and eco-friendly solution and rainwater harvesting system replenishing groundwater and reducing reliance on external water sources.

The other features include a sewage treatment plant to enable recycled water for landscaping.

It is designed to be energy efficient as enough provisions have been made for the flow of natural light.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Scindia said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union government is not working for incremental development but for monumental changes.

As a sign of that, this terminal building will be developed on 17,029 sq m which is 400 times of the existing terminal building. After the expansion, the total area of this building will be 21,094 sq m, capable of serving 2100 passengers which is 10 times the existing capacity.

Scindia assured that after developing this new terminal building, if demand is there, the union government will set up a new cargo terminal.

Speaking on the development of civil aviation in Andhra Pradesh, Scindia said that before 2014 Andhra Pradesh had only four airports, now it has 6 airports. The air traffic movement has increased from 388 in the year 2014 to 1162.

Scindia also informed that the two new greenfield airports being built in the state, namely Bhogapuram and Nellore and Prakasam Water Barrage will soon be ready for the public.

Talking about the Indian aviation sector, he said that "by 2030 there will be 200+ airports, which will especially include airports in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Additionally, we will be carrying more than 40 crore passengers, thus establishing our mandate of becoming the biggest aviation market."

Rajahmundry is currently connected to three cities - Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, and handles 126 flight movements per week. The new terminal building will meet the requirements of the airport as the existing infrastructure was not enough to meet the rapid growth in passenger traffic.

The expansion of the terminal building on an additional area of 17,029 sq m has been done for Rs 350 crore. After the expansion, the total area of the Terminal Building will be 21,094 sq m. This expansion will help to serve 2100 passengers during peak hours and 30 lakh passengers annually.

The airport will have 28 check-in-counters, four conveyor belts in arrival (conversion of the Existing terminal into arrival)

Eight X-Bis machines, 3 aerobridges, adequate number of food and beverage and retail outlets as passenger facilities.

Facilities for Divyangjans have also been incorporated as per the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan norms. There will be a parking area for 600 cars.

The newly upgraded terminal building of the airport will play an important role in the all-around development of the state at large and Rajahmundry as it has a rich heritage and cultural offerings, coupled with a new terminal building that will make it a popular destination for tourists.

The ceremony was graced by Gudivada Amarnath, Minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment & Commerce, IT, Handlooms & Textiles Government of Andhra Pradesh, Margani Bharat Ram, MP (Lok Sabha), Jakkampudi Raja MLA (AP). Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Sanijv Kumar Chairman, AAI were also present on the occasion.