Bangalore July 11, 2005 (NewInd Press)

Even as everyone is impatiently awaiting the early completion of the new international airport at Devanhalli, the HAL airport in the city has, quite unnoticed, been expanding its capacity to accommodate more passengers and airlines.

HAL has also initiated a number of measures to give its airport a facelift.

While the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has drawn up a Rs 15 crore project to add three more terminals, the defence PSU will spend around Rs 30 lakh in the next six months to clear the jungle inside the aerodrome and repair the perimeter wall.

The airport, considered one of the fastest growing airports in the country, handles over 40 lakh passengers a year. With the AAI initiatives, it will be able to accommodate a few lakh more passengers and offer better facilities.

Sources said the AAI is planning to begin expansion work very soon and hopes to complete it within a year.

‘‘The airport is finding it difficult to cope with the sudden increase in airlines and passenger movement. The proposed expansion will certainly improve the facilities,’’ sources say.

Meanwhile, HAL has invited tenders for a number of civil works inside the aerodrome. All the works are expected to be completed within six months. Apart from it beautification scheme, clearing the jungle inside the airport premises and the repair of the perimeter wall are important to improve the security of the airport.

‘‘As it is one of the busiest international airports in the country, HAL regularly takes up maintenance and development works,’’ sources added.

Once the new airport at Devanhalli is ready, all international and domestic airlines will operate from there while the HAL airport will be exclusively used by the PSU and the Indian Air Force for testing aircraft.