Everything you need to know about the new Vadodara International Airport Terminal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today will inaugurate the international terminal at Harni airport in Vadodara. Reportedly, it will be Modi’s first visit to the city since he became PM in May 2014.

The new terminal is spread over 18,120 square metres and has the ability to handle 700 passengers (500 domestic and 200 international) per hour.

Launched in February 2009, the construction work started in May 2011. The terminal has 18 check-in counters. The Airports Authority of India has also constructed a night parking facility at the airport which can park about nine A-320 / Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

As reported by PTI this month, Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI), said that the new building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 160 crore. The construction of the new terminal building is a part of the Centre’s efforts to modernise existing airports and develop them at par with international standards.

He further added that the building, a steel structure, has been designed as per the Advance Building Management System. It has hi-tech security systems, energy-saving cooling mechanism, rainwater harvesting set up and super sensitive fire safety alarm.

“Currently, 10 flights operate every day from the Harni airport which is not equipped to handle more than the existing number of passengers. However, the new terminal will help in accommodating additional flights and passengers,” said Guruprasad.

The terminal will have international flights for neighbouring countries; however, owing to the short runway length, there will be no direct services for the US and UK.

What’s more in his schedule list of Vadodara visit?

TOI reported that Modi will arrive at the Vadodara airport at 2.20pm. Post that he will grace the Samajik Adhikarita camps and distribute aids and assistive devices to nearly 10,000 differently-abled.

PM Modi will be greeted by Gujarat governor O.P. Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Union minister for social justice and empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and other Union and state ministers who will also attend the event.