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L&T bags EPC contract for MIAL

MIAL also in talks with MMRDA for better access roads

Chetan Kapoor - Mumbai

GV Sanjay Reddy Managing Director MIAL

Larsen & Turbo has been awarded the Engineering, Construction & Procurement (EPC) contract by the Mumbai International Airport (MIAL), a joint venture between the GVK-SA consortium and the AAI. The contract is a vital step in the process of modernisation and expansion of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai.

According to the contract, L&T would build a new integrated passenger terminal along with looking into airside work - taxiways, aprons, aircraft maintenance facilities, utility services and other support infrastructure at the airport - and landside work such as multi-storey car park and access roads.

Speaking at a media briefing, G V Sanjay Reddy, managing director, MIAL said, "L&T has been part of construction of many Indian airports and modernisation of the same. The contract worth Rs 5,500 crore to be invested over the next four years will look into new runway systems and other airport development for increased capacity and also access roads to the airport."

The MIAL is currently undergoing development. Sanjay Reddy informed, "The process of upgradation and modernisation is extremely complex as we have an operational airport in place and don't want to disrupt air traffic. Hence, we are constructing in a phased manner which will continue till 2012."

The domestic terminal 1B was recently opened at the cost of Rs 160 crore. Terminal 1A is still to be upgraded at the cost of Rs 75-80 crore will be functional from March 2008. Ultimately, terminal 1C will join terminals 1A and 1B. A majority of work at terminals 2B and 2C at the international terminal at Sahar will be completed by March 2008. Terminal 2A will be shut and the traffic diverted to the renovated 2B and 2C terminals. While phase one will be completed by 2010, work will continue till 2012. Eventually, the domestic terminal will be shifted next to the present international terminal at Sahar and the terminal at Santacruz will be used for cargo.

For smooth flow of traffic, MIAL along with Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) is also working towards an elevated dedicated six-lane and four-lane roads from the western express and

eastern express highway, respectively. It is also looking at developing a new temporary structure in the next four months to house about 1,500 cars.