Lucknow, Mar 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the integrated terminal 3 (T3) of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA), which was built for Rs 2,400 crore.

T3 will cater to domestic and international flights, with capacity to handle 4,000 passengers during peak hours.

Phase I of the world-class terminal can cater to 8 million passengers per annum, with elevated pathways separating the arrival and departure flows. Phase 2 will enhance the handling capacity to 13 million passengers per annum.

Speaking on the occasion, Karan Adani, Managing Director, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, said, "Our vision for CCSIA is big and far-reaching. The master plan aims to expand the airport's capacity to ultimately serve 38 million passengers annually by 2047-48. This exponential growth is a cornerstone of our strategy to support Uttar Pradesh's aspiration to become a one-trillion-dollar economy. We are not just building infrastructure - we are creating over 13,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, thus contributing significantly to the economic advancement of the region and the state."

The elegant terminal has state-of-the-art amenities and features for passenger convenience. While 72 check-in counters (including 17 for self-baggage drop) and 62 immigration counters (27 emigration and 35 arrival immigration counters) will ensure swift and smooth transit of passengers, modern lounges will elevate their comfort.

The newly constructed apron will increase the passenger boarding gates from 7 to 13 and passenger boarding bridges from 2 to 7. At present, the airport connects 24 domestic and 8 international destinations.

The capacity augmentation will help in improving its operational efficiency substantially. T3 will also simplify travel with technologies such as DigiYatra, common use self-service kiosks, automated tray retrieval systems, and advanced baggage screening machines.

An out-of-the-world audio-visual experience has been brought to life at the airport with the art and architecture of Uttar Pradesh, starting from the entry gates to the skylight. The check-in counters will mesmerise passengers with illuminated motifs of 'Chikankari' and 'Mukaish' embroidery. Graphics on the frosting depict stories from epics, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The airport has several sustainability features and adequate deployment of recyclable materials. It will be a multi-modal travel hub with metro connectivity, intercity electric bus service, and app-based taxi services.

(ANI)

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