Surat Airport Goes Global: PM Modi Launches International Terminal And Cultural Showcase — Things To Know

Gujarat's Surat on Sunday (17 December) celebrated a significant infrastructure boost with the inauguration of the new integrated terminal at the Surat International Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi praised the terminal as a crucial upgrade for the city, contributing to ease of living and fostering increased commerce in Surat and its surrounding areas.

The Surat airport now connects to 14 domestic cities, including major hubs like Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.

Additionally, it offers international connectivity via Sharjah, linking Surat to the rest of the world. The airport has, thus, received the status of an international airport.

The new terminal at the Surat airport has a substantial capacity, designed to handle up to 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours.

Plans are in place to further enhance the peak-hour capacity to accommodate 3,000 passengers.

The terminal's annual handling capacity is expected to reach 55 lakh passengers, contributing to a threefold increase in the Surat airport's overall capacity.

As the gateway to Surat, the terminal building is architecturally infused with local culture and heritage.

The design incorporates elements such as rogan, zari, and brocade embroidery, wooden carvings, and mosaic work depicting Gujarat's famous kite festival, providing visitors with a sense of the place.

The expansion project for the Surat airport comes at a price tag of Rs 353 crore, reflecting a significant investment in the city's aviation infrastructure.

The Surat airport's new terminal boasts a runway measuring 2,906 x 45 metres, accommodating Code 'C' aircraft, along with an 8,474-square-metre terminal building.

Sustainability is a key focus, with the inclusion of features like a solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, energy-conserving canopies, water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and the use of recycled water for landscaping.

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