Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh today inaugurated GVK’s new integrated, state-of-the-art Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in the presence of the Governor of Maharashtra, K Shankarnarayanan, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh, Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing, Sharad Pawar, Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, S Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Praful Patel, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, KC Venugopal along with Executive Chairman of GVK MIAL Dr GVK Reddy and Managing Director of GVK MIAL GV Sanjay Reddy, other senior dignitaries and GVK Officials, according to a statement released by GVK.
GVK has built the new integrated Terminal 2 as an iconic mega-structure (measuring 4.4 million sq. ft.) that will set global benchmarks in airport infrastructure development. Featuring a highly compact design by New York based SOM, T2 will have the ability to handle 40 million passengers annually. Traversing across four-levels, the vertical and compact design of T2 integrating all operations (International, Domestic, Cargo, Ground Handling, Security, Retail etc.) under one roof enables enhanced passenger servicing and operational efficiency of GVK CSIA.
Speaking on the occasion, GVK Reddy said: “The opening of Terminal 2 is one of the most important milestones in the history of CSIA as well as Mumbai. It is my dream to create icons which will last for generations. Over the years, we have developed expertise in executing challenging and complex infrastructure projects. GVK’s vision is to be pioneer and best in all the sectors we operate in. GVK’s initiatives include setting up India’s first independent power plant, the first six-lane expressway and developing the first Brownfield airport under the Public Private Partnership model. We have raised our own benchmarks with every successive endeavour. Terminal 2 reiterates our commitment towards building a better India for the present as well as for future generations and this would not have been possible without the unstinted support of our partners, associates and all my colleagues”. The Rs 5,500 crore cost incurred by GVK in building T2 is lowest as compared to similar airport projects in India as well as across the world. GVK constructed the new T2 in the same location of present international terminal without shutting down India’s busiest and land-locked city airport which is the most constrained airport in the world.
The new airport terminal will also be home to India’s largest public art programme, in the form of a 3 km multi-story Art Wall, illuminated by skylights, that has over 7000 pieces of artwork and artefacts from Maharashtra and also every region and corner of India. Titled Jaya He (Glory to India), it captures the expanse, depth and beauty of Indian art, craft and cultural heritage, while initiating the visitor into experiences that lie beyond and convey a distinctive narrative of India’s incredible diversity, living in multiple centuries simultaneously.
Global Economic City
Reaffirming Mumbai’s status as a global economic city, Terminal 2 is the outcome of GVK’s vision to make CSIA one of the world’s best airports that consistently delights consumers, and being the pride of Mumbai and India. The new T2 built in 4 years, is an iconic global mega structure and India’s first and most advanced vertical passenger terminal that integrates world class design, architecture, infrastructure and operational efficiency, with a rich infusion of Indian heritage and cultural character.
All international, and later, domestic passengers will enter the new Terminal Head House on the fourth level , that is accessed by a sweeping elevated road from the Western Express Highway in only 3 minutes. At the entrance, the lanes split, making room for wide drop-off curbs with ample space for departure rituals with passengers and their guests protected from Mumbai’s heat and unpredictable monsoons, by the Head House roof that extends to cover the entire departure roadway. A 15-meter-tall cable-stayed glass wall—the longest in the world—opens to the soaring space of the check-in hall, with the transparent façade allowing accompanying well-wishers, to watch as their friends and family depart.
Once inside, travelers enter the warm, open, light-filled and monumentally large check-in hall, featuring 188 + 20 check-in counters, sheltered underneath the 11-acre long-span roof, supported by an array of only 30 mushrooming multi-story mega-columns. Small disks of colorful glass recessed within the canopy’s coffers speckle the hall below with light, whose constellation of colors makes reference to The Peacock, India’s national bird, and the inspiration for the airport. After check-in, 60 emigration counters, 124 security check positions, 41 travellators, 47 escalators and 73 elevators will efficiently and swiftly process passengers for boarding.
The common check-in hall leads to a retail hub for international travelers, while domestic passengers proceed down to Level Three along the spectacular palm and waterfall gardens to their own dedicated domestic retail hub. These commercial plazas, spread over a combined area of 200,000 square feet, are centrally located at the junction of the concourses and the terminal core, to provide close proximity, to the 52 convenient departure gates for maximum passenger convenience. Level 2 is dedicated for all Arrivals with 10 fully–automatic baggage-handling carousels & 72 arrival immigration counters, while Level 1 is designed for ground transportation. Interconnecting light slots and multi-story light wells ensure that light penetrates even into the lower floors of the 4-storied mega structure, acting as a constant reminder of the surrounding city and its landscape. For the first time in India, the terminal also features an Airport Joint Control Centre that will house all stakeholders from security to airline officials & airport operations including to facilitate collaborative & speedy decision making.
GV Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director, GVK Mumbai International Airport said: “The new Terminal 2 at CSIA is a monument to the beautiful spirit of Mumbai and its people. This terminal will make CSIA a gateway to the city of Mumbai and India with international and domestic passengers. This is an airport that will redefine global benchmarks in aviation and airport development. The prevalence of local art and culture, coupled with the use of warm colours and elegant accents, elevates the ambience of this terminal beyond the typical, often unimaginative airport experience, to create a sense of place and identity that truly celebrates India”.
The design of Terminal 2 draws inspiration from India’s national bird – The Peacock It portrays the magnificent character of the White Peacock, representing flight, as well as rare beauty. The architecture of the new airport terminal quintessentially reflects India’s proud heritage and draws on its rich culture — it unmistakably and proudly presents a new contemporary India and its possibilities. Throughout T2, there are fixtures and details, such as 1000 chandeliers inspired by the lotus flower, a Diya curtain with 10,,000 diyas waiting to welcome international travelers and the check in hall which is inspired by 1000 white peacocks in the sky.
Reflecting GVK’s environment stewardship, Terminal 2 was built to be highly energy and water efficient. Sewage recycling, water recycling and rain water harvesting technologies will contribute to a 20 percent reduction in water use, over and above the Leeds baseline. Using a high-performance glazing system with a custom frit pattern, T2 achieves optimal thermal performance and mitigates glare. Perforated metal panels on the terminal’s curtain wall filter the low western and eastern sun angles, creating a comfortable day-lit space for waiting passengers, and responsive daylight controls balance outdoor and indoor light levels for optimal energy savings. Combined with strategically-placed skylights throughout the check-in hall, these will reduce T2’s energy consumption by 23%. The terminal also has a Level 2 accreditation on carbon management by ACI.
The terminal will feature a multi-level car park with the ability to handle 5200 cars making it one of the largest in the country. The car park is covered with lush landscaped gardens, providing a scenic first view for arriving and departing passengers.
The new integrated Terminal 2 will commence International operations from February 12, 2014 (within 3-4 weeks). Post today’s inauguration, the terminal will undergo a comprehensive security sweep as well as ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer). During the days preceding commissioning of the Terminal, GVK will be undertaking familiarization processes for airlines, ground handling staff, security, customs, immigration, MIAL employees etc. to get them acquainted with the new technologically advanced systems and facilities, processes for smooth and seamless transition of all stake holders from old international terminal to T2. During this time, GVK will launch an elaborate communication campaign to inform passengers about the T2’s commissioning.
The News Hour India by Kenath Jayashankar Menon 