India (Commonwealth Union)_ Chennai Airport has become an important air travel center with the launch of the new ‘Golden Terminal’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the new integrated terminal at Chennai Airport during his official visit to Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, it is expected that the lavish terminal with sophisticated amenities and features will considerably improve the passenger experience at the airport while also reducing commuter traffic. This new terminal will also increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity, making it a significant air travel gateway in South India.
The New Integrated Terminal Building (Phase-1) of Chennai International Airport was built magnificently at a cost of INR 1,260 crore. According to the reports, the launch of this new integrated terminal building will increase the airport’s passenger serving capacity from 23 MPPA to 30 MPPA. The dignitaries present at the launch were Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia; Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi; Chief Minister M K Stalin; and other officials. As they walked around the terminal, the PM was observed holding Stalin’s hand and receiving a pat from the CM. Further, PM Modi posted some beautiful pictures of the new terminal on Twitter and stated that it will be a significant addition to Chennai’s infrastructure. He tweeted, “It will boost connectivity and also benefit the local economy”.
The new terminal remarkably reflects Tamil culture, featuring traditional things such as the kolam, saree, temples, and other factors that emphasize the natural surroundings. Each design incorporated into the structure is well-considered. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the columns are designed to resemble palm trees, the ceilings are ornamented with motif lights that reflect the Kolam (Rangoli) patterns of South India, and the roof design is derived from Bharatanatyam. It added, “The wavy roofing of NITB replicates the pleated costume that fans out attractively during dancer movements of the traditional dance form of the state Bharatnatyam”.
According to airport officials, all international operations will be relocated to the new structure. The new terminal is 2.2 million square meters and can accommodate around 35 million passengers annually. To expedite passenger servicing at the airport, the terminal’s arrival and departure areas are equipped with 54 immigration counters each. In addition, the terminal is equipped with eleven automatic tray retrieval systems (ATRS) for carry-on baggage and thirty-three remote boarding gates. Further, the self-baggage drop facilities that detect the boarding pass also simplify the procedure.
The magnificent interior of the building features scintillating, grandiose columns and pillars completed with stainless steel champagne strips. The golden finish adds richness and splendor to the entire design of the New Terminal, which is why the structure is commonly referred to as the “Golden Terminal.” According to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, “The capacity of Chennai airport will increase by 50 percent today. This is a big step towards making the state a gateway not only to South India but to the whole of India.”
