Much-awaited terminal building opened  
Our Correspondent  
 
Rajasansi, September 15
The much-awaited newly constructed terminal building for the arrival lounge of the Rajasansi International Airport was inaugurated here today by the Chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Mr K. Ramalingam.  
 
Talking to The Tribune, the Chairman said the modern terminal building had become operational for the convenience of passengers which would handle around 300 passengers at any given time. He said the arrival lounge, constructed at the cost of Rs 12 crore, would be connected to aerobridge, at present under construction, and would have all amenities. He said the departure lounge, also under construction adjacent to arrival lounge, would be commissioned within next three to four months at the additional cost of Rs 7 crore. The Airport Authority had provided 500 additional trolleys for the convenience of passengers.
 
He said the arrival lounge had already been fitted with escalators to be used for the passengers using the aerobridge. The arrival lounge had been fitted with two conveyor belt systems. He added that there was a provision to construct second aerobridge under the new expansion plan at a total outlay of Rs 80 crore for which the government had already given its go ahead. Mr Ramalingam said the next phase of construction would commence in January next year and hope to complete the project within a year.
 
 ;)

Just to let you guys know that I landed end of Sept and we went through the new arrival terminal. It is a refreshing change, not great but a lot 100 times better than what was there before.
 
Slowly it will get better and better. Checkout was very quick going by past standards.

Second phase of airport expansion gets green signal  
Ashok Sethi
 
THE Civil Aviation Ministry has given a “go ahead” signal to the second phase of the ambitious expansion plan of Rajasansi International Airport to modernise its facilities.  
 
The Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, in a letter to Mr Tarlochan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, the copy of which is available with Amritsar Plus, had pointed out that keeping in view the flow of passengers and the number of flights operating from the airport, the ministry had already given its approval for the construction of Module-2 of the terminal building.  
 
The minister added that during the project review meeting for better aesthetic ambience and the overall view to present modern design and dynamism of aviation industry, the proposed design of the building had been improved.
 
Mr Patel said the new design work relating to the building that had been temporarily suspended for two to three months had already been resumed for the terminal building. The building would be completed by November this year. The arrival lounge was already commissioned by the Chairman, Airport Authority of India, Mr Ramalingam, a fortnight ago. The departure lounge is expected to become operational by the end of this year.
 
The minister said the Module 2 of the building would have two additional boarding bridges for which the tenders and the construction work would begin by November 2005.  
 
The expansion plan, with an outlay of Rs 80 crore, would also include increase in the apron capacity in view of future requirements of the airport. On completion of these works, the airport would be able to handle about 900 passengers at any given time, he added.  
 
Giving details of the expansion plan, the minister said it included fully air-conditioned new terminal complex, resurfacing of the existing runaway, taxi track, extension of the runaway, strengthening and construction of apron to accommodate four aircrafts.  
 
Mr Tarlochan Singh, in his communication to the minister, had drawn the latter’s attention to the rapidly increasing passenger and cargo traffic. Presently, more than 50 international and national flights were operating every week, connecting the city to various destinations across the globe, the letter had stated.