CHENNAI: After nearly completing the construction work, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has begun to install and test different equipment inside the new integrated terminal at Chennai airport.
The authorities have started testing interior lights and other installations as electrical work has been completed for both the floors. The lighting on the arrival floor of the terminal is in the testing stage.
An official said that work is going on to install machinery for inline baggage scanning systems, baggage conveyors, check in kiosks and other passenger facilities. "These will also be tested as and when the installation is completed. Installing and testing of electrical fixtures and equipment are being carried out as glass panels are being fixed on the first floor. The tests will help us to keep everything ready for trial and commissioning," he added.
Almost all equipment including escalators, lifts and baggage trolleys have arrived as the pandemic restrictions have been lifted and freight movement has become normal.
The building, when completed, will have 10 baggage conveyors, 38 self-service kiosks, 38 lifts, 46 escalators, 12 walkalators and more than 100 check in counters. More tests may be needed because the terminal will be equipped with an automated system that will help passengers to check in and board flights using biometrics including face recognition-based DiGi Yatra, said an official.
Sensors will also have to be installed for tracking the passenger flow and predict congestion inside the terminal.
The civil work is more or less over, he added. The ground tiles have been laid, the wall panelling has been installed and roof panelling has been completed in the arrival terminal. The terminal is likely to be opened before the end of the year.
AAI will shift the international arrival to the new building. The building is designed to handle international and domestic passengers. The 2,000crore project will boost passenger handling capacity of the airport from 21million passengers a year to 35million passengers.
