Srinagar, Feb 21: After overcoming technical delays that lasted over four years, the much-awaited Rs 1800 crore terminal at Srinagar International Airport is now poised for the final approval before construction begins. Once completed, the new terminal will have the capacity to handle 10 million passengers annually, a significant increase from the current 2.5 million.
“Yes, almost all approvals have been received, and the formalities are complete. We are now awaiting final approval, which is expected in the coming months before work commences,” Javaid Anjum, Director of Srinagar International Airport, told Rising Kashmir.
The new terminal, which will span 71,500 square meters, is designed to accommodate 2,900 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP), with a projected annual passenger capacity of 10 million. In contrast, the existing terminal measures 20,659 square meters and currently manages 2.5 million passengers annually.
“Once the new terminal is operational, we will be able to handle up to 10 million passengers per year,” Anjum added.
The need for a new terminal gained urgency in 2022-23 when the airport saw a significant surge in passenger traffic. “During that period, the passenger rush touched 4.4 million, marking a record for the airport. Flight operations also reached an all-time high,” Anjum said.
In 2022-23, the airport witnessed a 40% growth in passenger numbers, marking the first year of unrestricted travel after the Covid-19 lockdown and following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—in 2019.
The project, initially scheduled for completion by April 1, 2024, was delayed due to a series of necessary approvals. “Now, with the final approval pending, the project is expected to be completed by June 2027. It will be funded entirely through equity from the Airport Authority of India (AAI),” officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed.
The Srinagar Airport, which covers over 80 acres of land, is managed by the AAI, which oversees the civil enclave, including the passenger terminal building and the civil apron.
Regarding the airport’s upgraded night landing facilities, Anjum confirmed that the facility is already operational in its enhanced form. “The last flight can land at 8:40 pm in winters and 9:30 pm in summers,” he said. “This is the maximum available night landing capability at the airport in its upgraded state.”
Flight operations at the airport have also increased significantly, with daily flights now averaging 35-36. By March, this number is expected to rise, depending on the tourist influx.
However, the future of air travel to Srinagar could be impacted by the anticipated launch of train operations from Delhi via Katra to Srinagar, expected to begin in March. Currently, airfares to Srinagar are soaring, but experts predict a decline once the train services are operational, making rail travel a viable alternative for many passengers.
