Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) recently got its much awaited Terminal 2 (T2). The terminal was launched by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh last week. The 4.4 million square feet structure has the capacity to cater to 40 million passengers per annum and a design that combines local and international design.
Lauding the T2, Ajit Singh, Civil Aviation Minister opined that the new terminal is sure to attract footfall to the city. “India has witnessed an increase in traffic, resulting in space crunch. Upgradation of airports was hence encouraged. The PPP model has worked effectively in this project, which is an example of how public support and private investment can propel progress. I congratulate MIAL for completing the construction without disturbing the functional one,” he said.
He further added that the growth of civil aviation has been rapid in India, resulting in the need for low cost, no frills airports. “Only 93 of our available air strips are currently functional. We need to run the others as well. The next boom in aviation is through the development of low cost airports and regional connectivity, and that should be our focus,” he stated.
Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra commented that the T2 has surpassed expectations, calling it an achievement difficult to surpass. “The last couple of years have been difficult with the downturn of the economy. This scenario should change now. Developments such as this T2, and the Sahar elevated road outside, are essential to a healthy economy,” he said.
Addressing the attendees, the Prime Minister stated that the hard work to make Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport a world class airport is finally successful. “Our ambition is to make it one of the best airports in the world. This terminal is expected to establish new global bench-marks of functional efficiency and operational safety for airports. It also exemplifies our ability as a nation to build world-class infrastructure,” he added.