In order to improve air connectivity of Sangam city with the rest of the country before the Mahakumbh-2025, the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to give the Prayagraj airport a major facelift.
From air connectivity to expansion of terminal and number of flights, Prayagraj airport has left behind the airports of many cities.
The revamp of the Civil Enclave or popularly known as Prayagraj airport is being done keeping in mind the convenience of tourists and devotees coming from other countries in the Mahakumbh to be held here in 2025.
According to Airport Director RR Pandey, the government plans to redevelop the airport at a cost of Rs 175 crore. The works have been initiated and the tender process will be completed next month.
The number of aerobridges, passenger boarding bridge which connects the aircraft doors to the airport terminal, will be added as the expansion of flight movement in the airport will increase, he said.
Deputy General Manager of Prayagraj airport Pramod Kumar Singh said at present the number of aerobridges is two and four more will be added before Mahakumbh. With this, the airport will become the first in UP with six aerobridges.
The official added that there has been continuous expansion of air connectivity of city. After Lucknow and Varanasi, Prayagraj airport has now reached the third position in terms of flights and passenger movement.
“Currently, 24 domestic flights operate from this airport to 12 cities. After the expansion, their number will also increase to more than 16,” Pandey said.
The number of passengers travelling by air from here is also increasing daily. Last year 5,48,310 had travelled by air from Prayagraj airport.
The airport has achieved an important position in terms of increasing number of passengers every month and every year and at present it is at the third position in the state.
It currently has one terminal whose area is 6,700 sqm. At present, 320 passengers can sit here. Under the expansion plan, a new airport terminal building of 9,500 sqm will be constructed, which will have a seating capacity of 500.
In this way the capacity of this place will be 820 passengers till Mahakumbh. Keeping in view the environmental protection standards in the new terminal building, solar energy will be used in the entire building.
Apart from this, there is a plan to increase the capacity of Prayagraj airport’s apron to accommodate 15 aircraft.
light & sound show: The light and sound show organised at Chandrashekhar Azad park popularly known as Company Garden in the Sangam city has failed to entertain the morning walkers, who claim that the sheets fitted around the periphery of the park for the show blocks the outside view and fresh air.
The 45-minute show is held every evening at 7 pm. Introduced under the Smart City project, the show is a way of entertainment and enjoyment for the local public.
However, the morning walkers claim that they are facing inconvenience after the authorities encircled an area for the show and ‘spoiled’ the beauty of the park as well as hindering the path for them and for those doing yoga or other exercises in the morning hours.
Due to the show, the park is covered with green sheets to block the view of the show to the outsiders. The morning walkers say due to changes in the park for the show, they feel suffocated while spending time in the park.
“Sometimes, the entry to the park is closed in the morning. We also suggested that the park should remain open till 10am for us to have some fresh air,” said Kishore Varshanay, president of the Morning Walkers Association, adding that ever since the light and sound show has started they have been facing the problem.
The association has also submitted a memorandum to Divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and the Mission Manager (Technical) of Smart City Project in this regard. Varshanay claimed that the flower and vegetable show will also be affected if the area gets covered with these sheets. The flower and vegetable show was a part of British culture which has been followed for years in the city.
