Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair is soon going to have a new terminal building. The airport currently handles 18 lakh passengers annually. Considering the surge in the passenger traffic, Airports Authority of India has undertaken the construction of integrated terminal building there at Rs 700 crore.

With total built up area of 40,837 sqm, the building will be capable to handle 1,200 passengers during peak hours and about 50 lakh passengers annually. The new passenger terminal building will have three levels comprising of lower ground, upper ground and first floor. The lower ground floor will be used as remote arrival, departure and service area, the upper ground floor will have entry and exit gates and the first floor as awaiting lounge for international passengers.

The building will be equipped with modern passenger’s facilities with 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges, five conveyor belts with in-line scan system and state-of-the-art firefighting and fire alarm system. City side area of the Airport will also be developed with adequate parking facilities for car, taxi and buses along with the landscaping.

Inspired from nature, the design of the terminal is a shell shaped structure depicting sea and islands. It is a structural steel framed building provided with aluminum sheet roofing and cable net glazing all around. The entire terminal will also have 100 per cent natural lighting through skylights provided at roof level.

Curved shaped Cable Net Glazing will be provided all around the building. More than 65 per cent of the project is completed and the building is scheduled to be ready by mid-2021.