Tarun Karthick
The much-awaited New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair is gearing up for commencing operations today, August 21, 2023. The grand inauguration of the state-of-the-art terminal took place on July 18, 2023, with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, presiding over the event via video conferencing. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of several prominent dignitaries, including Mr Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel, General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.), Union Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation, Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.), the Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, and Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), representing A&N Islands.
The New Integrated Terminal Building boasts a sprawling built-up area of 40,837 square meters, equipped to efficiently accommodate 1,200 passengers during peak hours and approximately 5 million passengers annually. This cutting-edge airport facility is furnished with 28 check-in counters, 12 immigration counters, three passenger boarding bridges, and three conveyor belts, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers. Furthermore, the airport’s apron can conveniently accommodate up to 10 aircraft simultaneously.
To alleviate traffic congestion in the vicinity, a new traffic management system has been implemented. The entry gate to the airport is located near the ITF ground, while the exit gate is situated near the Lemon Tree hotel. Vehicles approaching the new terminal’s entry gate from the Hayat Singh side are required to follow the revised access procedure. Instead of taking an immediate right turn toward the entry gate, all vehicles must proceed towards the RBV Crossing and make a mandatory U-turn to reach the airport’s entry gate. To ensure efficient passenger movement, Lane 1 and Lane 2 will be exclusively dedicated to departures, while Lane 03 will be designated for arrivals. Commercial vehicles must adhere to designated parking areas, with a strict prohibition on halting in Lane 03 for more than 4 to 5 minutes. These measures have been instituted to facilitate smoother passenger flow and reduce traffic bottlenecks.
The New Integrated Terminal’s architectural design draws inspiration from nature, featuring a shell-shaped structure reminiscent of the sea and islands. It incorporates modern sustainability features and provides enhanced accessibility for persons with reduced mobility.
The operationalisation of this cutting-edge terminal and the expansion of aerial connectivity to the islands are expected to provide a significant boost to the local tourism industry and generate new employment opportunities within the community.
With the commencement of flight operations from the NITB, Veer Savarkar International Airport is set to usher in a new era of convenience and efficiency for travellers visiting the picturesque Andaman & Nicobar Islands.