PM Modi Unveils New Terminal Of Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport

PM Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

PM Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. ( Image Source :PTI )

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 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.

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that their mantra is "of, by and for the family".

Modi, in an apparent reaction to the opposition conclave being held in Bengaluru, said this while virtually inaugurating the new integrated terminal building of the Veer Savarkar Airport here.

Taking a dig at the opposition meeting, he said, "People are saying that this gathering is to promote 'bhrashtachar' (corruption)." He alleged that the opposition parties have given a "clean chit" to the DMK despite corruption cases in Tamil Nadu.

Modi also upped the ante against the 26 parties which are meeting in Karnataka's capital, and pointed out, "The Left and the Congress are mum on panchayat poll violence in West Bengal despite attacks on their cadre." Seeing these opposition leaders in one frame, people are calling the frame a symbol of corruption and the Bengaluru meeting, 'Kattar Bhrashtachar Sammelan' (hardcore corruption convention), the PM said.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who is present at the inauguration said, "The airport worth Rs 710 Crores is being dedicated to the nation today. At present, Veer Savarkar International Airport has connectivity with Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam but in the time to come will be further expanded...It won't an exaggeration to say that Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a pearl of India's ancient history. To provide it with a complete form, PM Modi will dedicate it to the nation today."

The building is shaped like a shell, depicting the natural environs of the islands.The entire terminal will have 100 per cent natural lighting for 12 hours a day which will be achieved through skylights on the roof, they said.Due to a surge in passenger traffic, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) constructed the NITB at an estimated cost of Rs 707.73 crores.

With a total built-up area of 40,837 sq metres, the new terminal building will have the capacity to handle 1,200 passengers during peak hours and around 40 lakh passengers annually.

The three-storey building will be equipped with 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges and four conveyor belts.