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Bhubaneswar: The Biju Patnaik International Airport here is all set for a mega expansion with authorities keen to construct a third terminal which will be known as T-3 building. The work for the proposed new terminal is expected to start from July 2019 and a whopping Rs 930 crore will be spent for the purpose.
Officials of Union Aviation Ministry had a discussion regarding this with the officials of Odisha government at a meeting held at State secretariat today. The third terminal at the airport is expected to be completed within three years.
Once the project work is completed, the airport's handling capacity will increase to 1.15 crore passengers from existing 35 lakh per year.
"We will be constructing a new terminal, T-3 building at a cost of Rs 930 crore which will handle 8 million passengers per annum," said Civil aviation secretary, Rajiv Nayan Choubey.
Meanwhile, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Usha Padhee informed that UDAN flights will start operations from the newly inaugurated Jharsuguda airport from January next year. Presently, the licence of Air Odisha has been suspended while the bidding process for the resumption of flight operations is underway.
"The bidding process is likely to be completed by December and by January first week contracts will be awarded. We are hopeful that good airlines will be engaged for operating flight services from Jharsuguda to other parts," said Padhee, adding, the Centre is keen on improving air connectivity in Odisha and efforts are on to develop small airstrips.
Several other important aspects were also discussed at the high-level meeting today.
Bhubaneswar Airport Director, Suresh Hota informed that keeping in view that this airport will get saturated in some years from now, a futuristic plan is being created and a report will be submitted by December 10.
