The New Integrated Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing on July 18.
Built at INR 710 crore, the airport will be capable of handling about 50 lakh passengers annually. It has a total built-up area of around 40,800 sqm and an apron capable of handling two Boeing-767-400 and two Airbus A321 jetliners. The new apron has been constructed at INR 80 crore and now allows ten aircraft to be parked at the airport at a time.
The airport terminal's architectural design is inspired by nature and resembles a shell-shaped structure depicting the sea and islands. The new airport terminal building features several sustainability-led initiatives, such as using a double insulated roofing system to reduce heat gain, skylights to provide maximum inlet of abundant natural sunlight during the day to reduce artificial light usage inside the building, LED lighting, and low heat gain glazing.
Rainwater catchment in an underground water tank has been catered for, an on-site sewage treatment plant with 100% of treated wastewater reused for landscaping, and a 500 KW capacity solar power plant are some other features of the terminal building for ensuring minimal negative impact on the islands’ environment.
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