Modi inaugurates enhanced Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi officially opened the new integrated terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair today.
Among the attendees of the inaugural event were Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh (Rtd.), MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Admiral D. K. Joshi (Rtd.), Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Constructed at a cost of Rs. 710 Crore, the new terminal spans an area of 40,837 square meters, boasting a capacity to accommodate 1,200 passengers during peak hours – over triple the former capacity. The structure, which takes its design cues from the island’s rich biodiversity, is an oyster-shaped creation echoing the sea and island beauty. The terminal is designed to harness natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting. In honor of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, a statue has been erected at the airport.
New integrated terminal inaugurated at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Civil Aviation/Wikimedia Commons.
The ceremony was conducted in hybrid mode, with PM Modi remotely inaugurating the terminal building via video conferencing, while other dignitaries were present on-site. The attendees, including Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh, and others, unveiled a statue of Veer Savarkar within the airport premises.
In his address, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia highlighted the ecological design and sustainable features of the airport. He further shared plans for three additional airports and four water aerodromes to be established by the Indian government, representing an investment of Rs. 150 crores. The Minister emphasized that these projects would act as gateways for employment, education, and investment.
Veer Savarkar International Airport, located in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, serves as the sole commercial airport for the area. Named after renowned freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, it provides access to more than 500 pristine islands, offering various water-based activities and glimpses of local history and culture.