With the state government allocating around Rs 173 crores for enhancing the facilities at the Prayagraj airport, the development work at airport has begun. After the completion of work, Prayagraj airport will expand its capacity to handle passengers and aircraft so as to give it an international look.
Presently, the lobby at the airport can accommodate up to 350 passengers simultaneously whereas after renovations and expansion, over 650 passengers will be able to sit together. A comprehensive security plan has been devised to ensure the safety of the lobby while maintaining smooth access for security personnel. This strategy enables constant surveillance of the lobby, ensuring 24x7 security over-sight without causing inconvenience to passengers. The funds and the expansion thereof is being done in view of facilitating tourists and pilgrims from within and other countries during the upcoming Mahakumbh in 2025.
Another important facility that will be enhanced pertains to aerobridges. Presently, the airport has two aerobridges whereas after 15 months of sprucing up the facilities, this number will increase to six before the Mahakumbh. Following this expansion, Prayagraj airport will be the first airport in Uttar Pradesh with six boarding bridges.
The ambitious expansion of Prayagraj airport is set to be completed within just 15 months in anticipation of the Mahakumbh.The construction of a new building connecting to the main terminal has already commenced.
The current airport terminal occupies an area of 6,700 square metres, which will soon expand to 9,500 square metres. Once the expansion is finalised, the airport will have the capacity to accommodate seven large and eight small aircraft simultaneously.
Efforts are underway to give the airport a globally appealing facelift, complete with modern amenities, at an estimated cost of Rs 173 crore.
The project is being handled by a company that has previously executed similar construction projects at Pune, Madurai and Cochin airports.
Prayagraj airport, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in December 2018 in preparation for Kumbh 2019, has consistently grown in significance since its inception. Over 22 lakh passengers have availed its services till date and in September this year it witnessed a record-breaking footfall of more than 55,000 passengers marking the highest monthly turnout in the four years of its operation.
POLICE GET PERMISSION TO ATTACH HOUSES: The Prayagraj police have received permission from the court to attach the houses of six persons, including the three absconding shooters carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh each and the wives of Atiq Ahmed and Khalid Azim alias Ashraf in the Umesh Pal murder case.
The Dhoomanganj police will now take action against them under Section 83 of CrPC. Pal and two constables engaged in his security were publicly shot and killed on February 24.
Thereafter a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh was declared on each of the absconding accused, including Sabir, Arman and Guddu Muslim, who was caught on CCTV hurdling a crude bomb in this murder case.
Apart from them, police are also looking for Atiq Ahmed’s wife Shaista Parveen, Ashraf’s wife Ruby Zainab and Atiq’s sister Ayesha Noori, for their involvement in the murder conspiracy. As all these six accused were absconding, the police, on the orders of the court, had pasted notices on their houses under Section 82 of CrPC, but even after a month, no one has surrendered. Thereafter, the police registered another case against all the six accused for disobeying the court order.
Now, on the orders of the court, an order for attachment has been obtained under Section 83 of CrPC. The police will soon attach their houses.
