Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually open the new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, on July 18, according to the prime minister's office. The new integrated terminal facility, built at a cost of about Rs 710 crore, would play an important role in improving connectivity throughout the union territory, it added. The new terminal, which has a total built-up space of over 40,800 sqm, can handle around 50 lakh people per year.
“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," the PMO said.
The airport terminal was inspired by nature and created as a shell-shaped building symbolising water and islands.
The terminal building has a variety of sustainable elements, such as a double-insulated roofing system to prevent heat gain, skylights to allow maximum input of plentiful natural sunshine during the day to reduce artificial light consumption inside the building, LED lighting and low heat gain glass.
Other aspects of the terminal building that ensure little detrimental influence on the islands' ecology include rainwater harvesting in an underground water tank, on-site sewage treatment plant with 100% of processed effluent repurposed for landscaping, and a 500 KW capacity solar power plant.
Port Blair is a famous tourist destination because it serves as a gateway to the virgin islands of Andaman and Nicobar. The large new terminal building will increase air traffic and hence tourism in the area. It will also serve to develop job opportunities in the local community and boost the region's economy.