Airports Authority of India has reported good progress on a new terminal at Kolhapur Airport – also known as Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport – in Maharashtra.
The project includes construction of a new terminal building, strengthening of the existing runway, extension of the runway, and construction of a new apron and isolation bay.
Kolhapur Airport is part of the Indian government’s regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and of its UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik – Hindustani for "Let the common citizens of the country fly") programme, which aims to upgrade and promote under-served routes. Kolhapur is currently connected to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Tirupati airports, and recently had its license upgraded to allow 24/7 flight operations.
The new 4,000m2 terminal will have ten check-in counters and will be able to process 300 passengers per hour at peak times. The building will be a Four-Star GRIHA- (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) rated energy efficient building with environmentally friendly elements. Its interior will reflect the local culture and heritage, and the front façade will feature archways inspired by those seen in historical structures such as Kolhapur’s Maharaja Palace, Bhavani Mandap, and Panhala Fort.
Work on the terminal build is well under way and expected to be complete by the end of March. The airside facility improvements have been carried out and a new air traffic control tower is being built. The project also includes a new parking area with space for 110 cars and ten buses.
Image: Airports Authority of India
