Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Integrated Terminal Building at Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands virtually. The total cost invested to build the terminal has been estimated to be around 710 crore, expected to boost connectivity of the island.
The new terminal building of the Veer Savarkar Airport is a shell-shaped structure that resembles the sea and islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is made of reinforced concrete and glass and has a total built-up area of 40,837 sq. meters. The terminal can accommodate up to 1200 passengers during peak hours, which will have 100 per cent lighting for 12 hours a day achieved through skylights on the roof.
The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries including Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union minister of state for road, transport and highways and civil aviation, General (Retd) VK Singh and senior officials.
PM Modi in his address said, “The new terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair will enhance ease of travel as well as ease of doing business and ultimately strengthen connectivity”.
Prime Minister attacked the previous administration in his address to the country after essentially inaugurating the new terminal building, claiming that “Dynastic parties never concentrated on growth. Opposition parties simply care about their own interests. The BJP is the only party who has corrected errors made by the rival parties”.
An Apron suitable for two Boeing- 767-400 and two Airbus 321 types of aircraft has also been constructed at Port Blair Airport at a cost of Rs 80 crore, making the airport now suitable for parking of ten aircrafts at a time.