The Indian government has approved modernisation and expansion projects at Kolkata and Chennai airports that will bring the facilities to “international standard” at a combined cost of US$900 million.
The Kolkata project will cost an estimated INR19.43 billion (US$452.4 million) and expand annual handling capacity by 20 million passengers. The second runway will be extended to 3,293 metres, navigation facilities will be upgraded, aircraft parking and additional taxiways will be added and road and rail connections to the airport will be improved.
At Chennai, INR18.1 billion will be spent on a similar project designed to increase capacity by 14 million passengers per year. The second runway will be extended and a new taxiway constructed, among other improvements including a new domestic terminal building capableof handling 10 million passengers per year.