Yash Khajuria Leh, Oct 03: After missing the earlier deadlines, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is all set to finish the up-gradation project of Leh Airport January next year and the same will be ready for inauguration in April 2024, by constructing a state-of-the-art new terminal building equipped with modern facilities at a cost of Rs.640 crores.
Situated at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level, Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (KBR) Airport has geared up for a new world-class terminal building equipped with all essential passenger-friendly amenities and conveniences. Pertinently, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the new terminal building in Leh on February 3, 2019.
In an exclusive interview with The Earth News, Vinayagamoorthy S, General Manager Engg (Project), AAI Leh briefed about the infrastructural facilities being created at KBR Airport. He said, “The upcoming New Terminal Building will be of 4-star Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rated energy-efficient building with 22 check-in counters, Inline Baggage Handling System and centralized heating & cooling system for providing passenger comfort during extreme winter & summer climates.”
Giving information about the current status of construction work, he said, “Almost 70 per cent of the work has been completed and we are fully geared up to carry on the same momentum in the winter as well. We are trying to ensure that all the external works are completed before the onset of harsh weather and thereafter focus will be on completion of internal works.”
He also brief about the terminal capacity and said, “Leh airport has handled more than nine lakhs passengers per annum in recent years, but this new terminal building will be able to handle 35 lakhs passengers annually after the completion of construction work. The peak hour passenger handling capacity will be 1000 Departure and 1000 Arrival which will be sufficient keeping in mind the future need at this Airport.”
Further, he informed that the maximum area of the new terminal will be utilized for passenger facilities and only bare minimum space will be earmarked for the operational requirements.
“The upcoming New Terminal Building will be 4-star Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment. The proposed Geothermal Heating & Cooling System is first of its kind in Indian Airports. The new airport building envelope is so designed keeping in mind to make it more energy efficient using latest state of art technology and comprises of steel and glass.The Airport will also have its own 500 KW Solar Power Plant to meet its energy requirement. Collectively, all these interventions will help in achieving Carbon-Neutrality,” he explained.
The terminal being developed comprises three levels and will be well connected with elevators, escalators and staircases to ensure smooth flow of passengers, said GM Engg (Project).
The design of the building will reflect the philosophy of ancient Buddhist wisdom and local architecture intertwined with a modern ethos and closely incorporates Buddhist design elements in the overall look and feel of the building.
He also briefed that AAI under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives funded several projects for the welfare of people of UT, Ladakh. Giving details, he said “AAI has provided MRI Machine worth Rs 12.78 crores to SNM Hospital, Leh which is perhaps the only one in entire Ladakh region. Besides, 2 Ultrasound Machines have been provided at Diskit and Khaltsi hospitals along with a Digital X-Ray Machine at Diskit Hospital at an amount of Rs 2.4 crore.
Also, Rs 48 lakh have been provided for the infrastructural development of Milk Pasteurization Unit in Leh. Apart from this, Rs.63 Lakhs have been provided for development of Solid Waste Management (SWM) infrastructure at Nubra Valley.” AAI would continue to take up more such initiatives for the welfare of the Ladakhi people and overall development of the region, he added.
