INDIA. The new Terminal 2 at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) was inaugurated on Friday, with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh hailing it as an example of “world-class infrastructure”.
Commercial space covers over 200,000sq ft at the ambitious new facility. Once operational next month, T2 will offer retail, food & beverage and other consumer services, including core duty free (Aer Rianta International and Buddy Retail) and fashion/luxury/lifestyle retail (The Nuance Group).
Built by GVK, the terminal covers 4.4 million sq ft and has the capacity to handle 40 million passengers annually. International operations are set to begin on 12 February, with domestic flights commencing later.
GVK leads a consortium that partnered with Airports Authority of India in the joint venture Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) to modernise, upgrade and expand the airport.
Dr Singh was joined at Friday’s event by GVK MIAL Executive Chairman Dr GVK Reddy and Managing Director GV Sanjay Reddy, as well as a number of local and national politicians and other dignitaries.
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The new terminal is set to have over 200,000sq ft of commercial space |
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“This terminal is expected to establish new global benchmarks of functional efficiency and operational safety for airports,” said Dr Singh. “It also exemplifies our ability as a nation to build world class infrastructure. I have no doubt that this terminal will fulfil the expectations we have from it and make us all feel very proud.”
“I compliment MIAL for building this state-of-the art facility. The entrepreneurial skills of Shri GVK Reddy and his colleagues are truly first-class.”
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A strong Sense of Place is delivered at the airport through art and design |
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The building of the four-storey terminal cost Rs5,500 crore (US$888.5 million) and was completed without having to shut down other parts of the airport.
After international passengers check in at one of 208 counters, they will pass through to a retail hub, while domestic passengers will proceed to their own dedicated domestic retail hub.
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Dr GVK Reddy said: “The opening of Terminal 2 is one of the most important milestones in the history of CSIA as well as Mumbai.
“Terminal 2 reiterates our commitment towards building a better India for the present as well as for future generations and this would not have been possible without the support of our partners, associates and all my colleagues.”
The new terminal will also be home to India’s largest public art programme, according to GVK, in the form of a 3km multi-story art wall that has over 7,000 pieces of artwork and artefacts from Maharashtra and every region and corner of India. Titled Jaya He (Glory to India), it is set to deliver a strong Sense of Place.
Inspired by India’s national bird – the peacock – the terminal’s design aims to reflect the country’s heritage and culture, while also presenting contemporary India and its possibilities.
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The terminal also features a multi-level car park with 5,200 spaces, making it one of the largest in the country, according to GVK. The car park is covered with landscaped gardens, providing a scenic first view for arriving and departing passengers.
GVK MIAL Managing Director GV Sanjay Reddy said: “The new Terminal 2 at CSIA is a monument to the beautiful spirit of Mumbai and its people. This terminal will make CSIA a gateway to the city of Mumbai and India with international and domestic passengers. This is an airport that will redefine global benchmarks in aviation and airport development.
“The prevalence of local art and culture, coupled with the use of warm colours and elegant accents, elevates the ambience of this terminal beyond the typical, often unimaginative airport experience, to create a Sense of Place and identity that celebrates India.”
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