Sanjeev Jindal, Executive Director (Engineering-Civil), Southern Region, Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi, announced that the new integrated passenger terminal building is under development at the Tiruchi international airport is likely to be completed in June 2023. The new facility would be equipped with many amenities and would be around 5.5 times larger than the old structure. At the new terminal building, all types of automation that meet international requirements will be available. He told the media after assessing the development of the multi-crore project that over 70% of the terminal building works had been accomplished so far, with construction operations going on day and night. Jindal informed that he had instructed authorities to enhance manpower to expedite the construction process. The executive director expressed satisfaction with the construction work's progress, saying that quality was being monitored by technicians and specialists. Despite challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and severe rains a few months ago, he noted that the project's development has been pretty excellent. More than ten extra parking bays had already been built to handle larger aircraft, and commissioning was in the works. During peak hours, the new terminal building will be able to handle 2,900 passengers, including 2,300 foreign travellers. There will be 48 check-in desks, 40 immigration counters, 15 x-ray machines, five escalators, 28 elevators, five baggage claim carousels, and ten aero bridges in the new structure. Jindal acknowledged that the Covid-19 outbreak slowed the project's progress, but the proposal included an allowance for cost escalation due to schedule delays. He estimated that the entire project would cost about Rs 1,000 crore to construct, with a completion date of June 2023. In the next ten years, the futuristic structure will be able to accommodate passenger traffic. He responded to a question by saying that after the new facility is ready, the AAI wants to use the present passenger terminal building for freight growth and as a training centre. Image Source Also read: Sogane airport construction to be completed by 2022 end: Yediyurappa