Developments of logistics, hotel and warehouse planned within airport vicinity
To cater the growing population of the fourth largest city in Gujarat and increasing flow of air traffic in the region, a Rs.1,405 crore greenfield airport being built at Rajkot is set to commence operations from March 2023.
In addition to the Rajkot Airport, commercial development is planned for travel-logistics, hotel industry, warehouse-cargo handling and clearing business among many more.
More than 82% of earth work and 80% of runway as well as other pavement works have been completed at the airport site.
The 3,040 m runway will serve AB-321 type of aircraft. The airport will have parking space for 14 aircraft at a time.
The work for new terminal building and ATC Tower is also in progress, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on 10 June 2022 in a project update.
The present progress of the total project is 45%. The new airport is expected to be ready for operation by March 2023.
The Airports Authority of India is handling the project.
Spread over 2,534 acres, the airport is approximately 30-km from Rajkot city and on Rajkot-Ahmadabad highway.
In the PM Gati Shakti’s spirit of inclusive multi-modal connectivity, the airport is accessed from the National Highway NH-27.
A clover-leaf flyover is planned on the highway for unhindered access to the airport.
With total built-up area of 23,000 sqm, the terminal is designed to handle 1,800 passengers during peak hours.
The terminal will be equipped with state-of-the-art passenger facilities, four passenger boarding bridges, three conveyor belts and 20 check-in counters along with modern firefighting and fire alarm system.
The city side area of the airport will also be developed for adequate parking facilities for cars, taxis and buses along with landscaping.
The terminal façade design is influenced by the existing palaces in Rajkot like the Ranjit Vilas Palace, integrating traditional elements into a contemporary form.
An outer skin of traditional Jalis of Palaces is provided to minimize the heat gain inside building.
The terminal depicts various artforms including dandiya dance through its dynamic external façade and splendid interiors.
Rajkot is famous for its gold jewellery and filigree work and that has inspired the exterior panel work at drop-off area.
Rajkot is home to small scale and heavy industries and plays an important role in complex supply chains with global perspective. These industries are expected to grow exponentially.
The airport will reduce time and cost related to logistics for multiple industries in the region. More importantly, the ceramic industry of Morbi and other industries of Jamnagar also depend on Rajkot for air connectivity. fiinews.com
