Kanpur, May 26 (City Times) : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the new terminal building of Kanpur Airport and said that the opening of this civil terminal marks the ‘beginning of a new era’ in Kanpur.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “Kanpur has long been renowned for its rich spiritual and historical heritage. During the era of independent India, the city played a pivotal role in igniting the flames of the industrial revolution, not just within the state but across the entire country. It stood tall as one of the nation’s prominent metropolitans, driving progress and prosperity.”
Kanpur used to be counted among the biggest metropolitans of the country. Today, again a new era is beginning with the opening of this civil terminal. New enterprises have come up in all the cities in Uttar Pradesh where air connectivity has improved, he added.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was also present on the occasion.
He further said, “The development process initiated six years ago has been carried forward with unwavering commitment.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that the new Civil Enclave at Kanpur Airport is a testament to this ongoing development. He also praised the road connectivity of Kanpur and assured that efforts are being made to further improve it. Additionally, within the state, plans are underway to establish a waterway authority.
The Chief Minister highlighted the potential of connecting Kanpur with the National Waterway No. 1, which spans from Haldia to Varanasi and extends to Prayagraj. This would allow Kanpur to leverage the advantages of water transportation.
He continued, “If you want to see the change in Uttar Pradesh, you can see it in the improvements made in civil aviation over the past six years. In 2017, there were two operational airports and two partially operational airports in Uttar Pradesh. But today, 9 airports are fully functional and work is underway at an additional 12 airports. In the near future, there will be an airport at nearly every commissionerate level in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to facilitate easier movement of people.”
Will bring back the ancient glory of Kanpur
The CM also said that in 2017, Kanpur faced several challenges, including the closure of industries and the perception that the city was causing pollution in the Ganga River. But today there is improved connectivity in Kanpur, including the development of road networks, airports, and the introduction of metro services.”
Additionally, the Sisamau drain, once considered a source of pollution, has been transformed into a selfie point through appropriate measures.
Furthermore, he stated, “ Prime Minister Modi has recognized the potential of Kanpur and has taken steps to position it as a prominent node in the Defence Corridor. The development of defence production industries in Kanpur has opened new avenues for growth and employment opportunities. We can say with confidence that we will bring back Kanpur and its ancient glory.”
He further said that the double-engine government is working at double- speed. One notable project is the construction of the Greenfield Express Highway, a new express highway connecting Kanpur and Lucknow.
Salient Features of the New Terminal Building:
—The new terminal building has been built at a project cost of Rs 150 crore over an area of 6243 sq m and is 16 times larger than the existing terminal.
—Designed to handle 400 passengers during peak hours as compared to 50 passengers earlier.
—08 check-in counters to ensure an efficient and speedy check-in process for the passengers.
—3 Conveyor Belts one located in the departure hall and two in the arrival hall to facilitate easy handling and collection of luggage.
—Provision of touch path has been made for the convenience of visually impaired passengers.
—On the city side of the terminal, there are 150 car parking spaces and 2 bus parking spaces, ensuring adequate parking facilities for passengers.
—Terminal building with various sustainability features like double insulated roofing system, energy saving canopies, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing units, rain water harvesting, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, and a solar power plant with a capacity of 100 KWP.
—The façade of the terminal building reflects the temple architecture of the famous JK Temple in Kanpur, both from the city and from the airport. The interiors of the terminal building are based on various local themes such as textiles, leather industry and famous personalities of the city such as poet Shyamlal Gupta and sage Maharishi Valmiki.