Better transport options for fliers, clean washrooms and expansion of infrastructure are some of the priorities of the Calcutta airport’s new director.

Pravat Ranjan Beuria, who has recently taken over as the director of NSCBI Airport, said the responsibility of the airport authorities does not end with facilitating passengers to board a flight or get off one.

In January, Metro carried a series of reports highlighting the problems faced by passengers at the airport: congestion, touts and dirty washrooms were among the issues highlighted.

Here are some of the priorities of the director:

Airport connectivity

Post-pandemic, the airport has been witnessing a double digit growth in terms of passenger footfall.

Pre-Covid, the airport would handle 22 million passengers every year. After a sharp dip during the pandemic, the footfall again went up to 19 million in 2023-24.

“The terminal can handle 26 million passengers per annum and we are expecting that by 2025, the figure will be crossed,” said Beuria. “To handle so many passengers, we not only need to develop infrastructure within the airport but also the peripheries.”

There is a need for integrated transport facility, including Metro Railway and roads.

“It is extremely important for the Metro routes connecting the airport to be completed,” said the director.

Work is under way on three Metro routes that will connect the airport with New Garia, Noapara and Barasat.

He also stressed the importance of the road network.

“During traffic snarls, many passengers get delayed and miss flights. As the
number of passengers
grows, so will the volume of traffic to the airport. If more passengers report late at the airport, operations are hit,” he pointed out.

“The state government has to take action (to resolve the transportation issues),”
he said.

Terminal facilities

The director said infrastructure is being upgraded in the terminal.

“The integrated terminal will be expanded towards the southern side. We are adding another 6,000sq m of area,” said Beuria. “After the expansion, the terminal will be able to handle 2 million more passengers annually.”

Fliers often complain about stinking washrooms in the terminal. “The existing washrooms are inadequate and also have design issues. All the 69 washrooms are being renovated to resolve the problems. Also, 12 new washrooms will be installed,” said Beuria.

Expansion projects

“A second terminal building should come up by 2030. It will have the capacity to handle 19 million passengers,” said Beuria.

The new terminal will come up where the old domestic terminal stands.

The airside expansion is also on his mind, said Beuria.

“The number of parking bays is being increased from 63 to 72. But once the new terminal building comes up, more parking bays will be required,” he said.

The airside expansion would take place on the eastern side of the airport. “There will be more parking facilities and passengers will be able to board flights from there,” he said.

Touts

Touts are a problem at the Calcutta airport, the director said. “We have introduced facilities for passengers to lodge complaints without going to the police station,” Beuria said. “Also, the police need to be sensitised more to take action against touts.”