The AAI will also appoint a project management consultant to oversee the implementation of the modernization project on a turnkey basis. Leading firms like USbased Louis Berger Group have applied for becoming the consultants.

The project involves construction of a new integrated terminal building to handle 20 million passengers. The Rs 1,600-crore facility is due to be commissioned by 2011. Along with existing capacity of 4.942 million passengers (0.882 million, international and 4.06 million, domestic), the total handling capacity would rise to 24.942 million passengers that will be saturated by 2015-16. Subsequently, total capacity will be increased to 39.32 million in phase-II and 56.13 million in phase-III.

 Kolkata airport modernization was initially proposed with private sector participation on the lines of the Mumbai and Delhi international airports but met with stiff resistance from the Left. Though civil aviation minister Praful Patel was dead against it, he acceded to the demand after a prolonged delay. Thereafter, the project was held up due to queries by the Planning Commission. Now with all hurdles at government-level cleared, work can begin after the monsoon if the principal contractor is selected later this month.

For AAI, modernization of Kolkata and Chennai airports are a challenge to prove its capability at a time when private majors GMR and GVK are implementing projects in Delhi and Mumbai.