New airport opening on March 5

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has fixed March 5 as the day for inaugurating the new building of the new domestic terminal of Biju Patnaik Airport here.

This was decided at a meeting held in New Delhi recently. Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh has consented to inaugurate the building, said airport director Sharad Kumar.

The AAI may also go for a departure trial before inauguration to make sure that the passenger boarding bridge (PBB) functions well. A seminar on ‘civil aviation in Odisha’ will be organized on the inauguration day, said sources.

“Major works at the new building are almost over. Ancillary activities like construction of a new approach to the airport, beautification and lighting are in full swing. I think these works will be over by February-end,” said the director.

“The new road to the airport will be a different experience for guests as we have planned to give the stretch a green look. About 50 ft has been left on either side of the road for plantation, which include low-height plants (hedges) and long trees. The pavements will be dotted with terracotta bricks for a natural and ethnic look,” said the director. (Source – The Times of India)