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Blueprint ready to make the international terminal at Dum Dum truly world-class

By djain128, Section Infrastructure
Posted on Mon Apr 11, 2005 at 08:51:27 PM EST

The country's first international airport is set to regain its former glory. After years of neglect, the gateway to Kolkata is ready for take-off. Subhro Niyogi gives a sneak preview of the French blueprint that promises to make the international terminal at Dum Dum truly world-class

It's a symphony in steel and glass. Even at first glance, the structure is striking enough to keep anyone's attention rivetted. Towering 50 feet over the ground, the two-and-a-half level building is beautiful in its simplicity. Gigantic reinforced glass panels make for the walls. The roof comprises an intricately designed steel mesh that is supported by large spans. The effect is stunning; conjuring up a sense of expansiveness.
That is the futuristic terminal at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport -- a far cry from the clumsy brick-andmortar structure that lacks in visual appeal or architectural purpose. Though still on the drawing board, the dream project is inching closer to reality. French consultant Airport de Paris has just submitted provisional drawings of the Rs 100 crore terminal to Airports Authority of India. The computer generated images are based on the shortlisted entries to a design competition that was organised by the French firm for the purpose.

The images bring to life an elegantly-designed building with interiors that rival the best in the sub-continent. The brief was to create a world-class terminal for the future and the architects have attempted just that. The sweeping steel spans minimise pillars and allow better space utilisation. The structural engineering facilitates creation of large obstruction-free lounges to serve as departure and arrival terminals.
The building proposed is a two-and-a-half level structure with departure section on level two and arrival section on level one. Between the two primary floors is a mezzanine level fitted with aerobridges to board and disembark from the aircraft. With AAI keen to introduce an all-aerobridge operation in the new set-up, the designers are trying to make space for at least five aerobridges with provision for more. While escalators provide access to the mezzanine section from both the departure and arrival levels, they are segregated to take care of security concerns and eliminate confusion.
The chic interiors are designed along international trends with the bare minimum furniture. The counters - both for check-in and immigration - are similar to those in modern airports across the world. Special emphasis is laid on signage and display to make the terminal user-friendly.
AAI architects scrutinising the draft have expressed satisfaction over the interiors but are not too keen on the large spans in the draft designs.
"Last year, Terminal 2E at
Charles de Gaulle had to be closed after a similar roof collapsed. Even in Kolkata, the steel shade outside the domestic terminal collapsed in a storm," they point out. With some changes inevitable, the construction is unlikely to begin by the scheduled date in August. Kolkata airport director Rajendra Pal is hopeful that actual work will begin by the year end.
After the final designs are ready, AAI will set the tendering process in motion. That should take two to three months. The construction will take 30-36 months and be spread over three phases. "Since the old building will make way to the new one, it will be torn down in phases and construction carried out simultaneously to ensure that operations do not suffer," Pal explains.

Source The Times of India dt 10-4-2005
http://epaperdaily.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIM

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