BANGALORE: The air terminal building has been redesigned to handle the increase in air passenger traffic at the Bangalore International Airport, which is expected to go up three times than the proposed four million by April 2008 when the airport will become operational.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who reviewed the project along with Vinay Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, and others, told presspersons here on Saturday that the air passenger traffic will increase to 11 million by April 2008.

Mr. Yediyurappa, who holds the Finance portfolio, said that earlier, it was planned to build one runway.

But the expected increase in passenger traffic might require another runway.

He said the project cost might escalate from Rs. 1,411 crore to Rs. 1,861.79 crore. This will be met with additional debt and not by additional equity or State support.

He said 13.5 per cent of the work on the airport has been completed. As much as 67 per cent of the work is expected to be completed by the yearend.

He said the State's share of the project cost is Rs. 350 crore, which will not increase or decrease with change in the design.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister held a meeting with senior officials and urged them to take steps for the speedy implementation of projects proposed in the budget. Chief Secretary B.K. Das and principal secretaries were present.

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