Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Rs 1,260-crore new Integrated Terminal Building (Phase-1) of the Chennai International Airport, a facility that will boost passenger handling. NITB has been uniquely designed to showcase the rich culture and heritage of the state.
“With the addition of this new integrated terminal building, the airport’s passenger handling capacity will increase from 23 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 30 mppa. The new terminal is an attractive reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as kolams, Sarees, temples and other elements that evoke the natural surroundings,” said Sarkar.
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Every design integrated into the building is well thought out. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said the pillars are designed to create a visual effect of a palm tree, the ceiling is decorated with colorful lights, depicting kolam (rangoli) patterns of South India, and the ceiling The design has been taken from Bharatanatyam. ,
It states, “The undulating roof of the NITB mimics the gracefully pleated dress that moves during the dancer movements of the traditional dance form of the state Bharatanatyam.”
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister MK Stalin were among others present. The PM was seen walking around the terminal, holding the CM’s hand and spending some cordial moments with Stalin, while the latter both smiled and patted their backs.