Kerala   

Airport approach road to be widened

Nedumbassery: Keeping in view the steady growth in annual passenger movement through the airport here, the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has initiated steps to widen the existing two-lane airport approach road to six lane.

The airport company had invited request for proposal from infrastructure development agencies to broaden the existing 5-km long stretch starting from the national highway (NH 47) up to the main airport entry point on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model on December 19.

According to CIAL officials, traffic on the existing approach road is bound to increase over the next few years, and a widening of the existing road has been suggested to maintain a safe traffic density and avoid congestion during peak hours.

As per the growth projections by the Civil Aviation Ministry, passenger traffic was estimated to double in every 5 to 6 years, it added.

The business model conceived by CIAL permits the developer to collect toll from vehicles using the road on a revenue sharing basis which will be ceased later on completion of the toll period. The indicative toll charges proposed is Rs.10 for light motor vehicles and Rs.40 for heavy vehicles for a single entry and exit. However, the rights to advertisement on the expanded road will be with the airport company.

The total outlay for the project, which also includes the construction of an additional railway over bridge near the existing one, is estimated to be Rs.42.50 crore. It also stipulates the design and alignment of the road to be in conformation with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) standards and specification, which should be also approved by the landowner.

The scope of work includes widening of the existing two-lane road by constructing a new pavement with service road and drains on the either sides of the road.

The contract will be awarded to the business proposal which offers the minimum period of toll collection.

The step is also considered as part of CIAL’s efforts to expand its infrastructure basis to support its land utilisation plans which also include the setting up of an airport-based city on 450 acres of its property.

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