Travel first-class from A’bad

New terminal at Ahmedabad airport
By next November, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad will have an international-standard terminal, which is being constructed at a cost of a whopping Rs291 crore. The plan was originally to build a new terminal for international passengers. However, according to Moushumi Chakravarty, spokesperson for the civil aviation ministry, it will be dedicated to domestic passengers, who are in a majority as compared to the number of international passengers.

The new terminal will cover an area of 41,000 sq ft. It will have four aerobridges, 30 checking counters for different airlines, a large restaurant and a café, while there will be four or give juice centres outside the terminal. The new terminal will be able to accommodate around 1,600 passengers at any given time, while there will be space for 900 cars to be parked, which is nearly double the existing capacity for passengers and parking. Also, a walkalator will connect the existing terminals, both domestic and international, for the benefit of passengers, by 2010.

Railway station to get world-class upgrade
By November 2011, the Ahmedabad railway station in Kalupur will set forth on a journey towards becoming a world-class station. Officials have submitted its inception report to Western Railway, and the next step will be to invite agencies to design the station and provide it a facelift. According to railway officials, construction work at the Kalupur station may not begin next year because of a lot of research is required before a plan is readied.

Considering that the number of passengers at the Kalupur railway station will increase manifold by 2030, the new design for the station will incorporate new aspects. In addition, platform numbers eight, nine and 10 will be available for broad-gauge trains by next year, while an additional third line between Sabarmati and Ahmedabad may be started, which will help to lessen the congestion of trains. Also, by next year, the Duronto Express between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will take to the track. This completely air-conditioned express train is likely to be the fastest train along this route.

Vision ‘10: Better facilities for passengers are top priority for railways, AAI

The airport and railway station in Ahmedabad are to witness complete makeovers in the coming time. While the airport’s new terminal will be ready soon, a plan to revamp the railway station is being readied. For passengers, the times ahead seem better.

VP Agrawal, chairman,  Airports Authority of India, New Delhi

The new international terminal will be completed by March 2010, along with the walkalator. The terminal will, however, be used for domestic passengers, who are much greater in number than international passengers. This has already been conveyed to the authorities of the Ahmedabad airport. In addition, more than Rs100 crore will be spent on facilities for passengers at the airport.”

Karishma Villon, passenger

The authorities concerned should develop facilities for people coming from Nadiad or Anand to the airport. There is not much space for people to even sit and wait for flights. As a passenger, I feel there should be facilities like restrooms with proper amenities. In addition, I believe the international terminal needs a makeover. This creates a bad impression about the city and the state as a whole.”

Ashok Gadud, DRM, A’bad division, Western Railway

The railways is doing everything possible to ensure that passengers have a comfortable journey. By next year, there will be some passenger-friendly development, which includes five escalators. We do have escalators now, but these new ones will be available to the passengers, too. All five escalators may not be ready by next year, but at least one or two of them will be installed by then.”

Anand Parikh, passenger

The railways should focus on cleanliness. As of today, the railway station is in a pathetic state when it comes to cleanliness. I also feel that the railways should add more compartments for trains starting from Ahmedabad. Further, another problem that passengers face is that of hygiene on the platform as well as in the trains. The railways should do something in this regard.”