February 15, 2024: Union minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia on February 14 inaugurated the new terminal building of the Dehradun Airport from New Delhi. Uttarakhand chief minister Puskar Singh Dhami also joined the event from Dehradun. In his inaugural address, Scindia said the overall capacity of the airport has gone up by 10 times.
Key features of new terminal building at Dehradun Airport
Located 20 km from Rishikesh and 35 km from Haridwar, the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is known as the air gateway of Garhwal.
Planned in two phases to serve 3,240 passengers during peak hours and 47 lakh passengers annually, the airport is spread in an area of 326.42 acre. Total cost of developing the building in the two phases is estimated at Rs 486 crore.
It has a runway of length 2,140 metre and an apron with 20 parking bays in total. The building is equipped with all passenger amenities like:
- 48 check-in counters
- 04 conveyor belts
- 12 baggage X-ray machines
- Parking facility for 500 cars
Dehradun Airport new terminal building design
The new terminal’s design is inspired by the local heritage and environment, with each element narrating a story of its own. With its focus on sustainability and local culture, the terminal is also equipped with all modern features and facilities, offering travellers a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
“The columns supporting the canopy on the curbside are reminiscent of the Prayer Wheels of Buddhist monasteries. Inscribed with prayers from the Vedas, including the sacred Gayatri Mantra, these columns infuse a sense of tranquility and spirituality into the terminal’s ambiance. The terminal’s pillow-shaped roof design offers optimum height, making it energy-efficient,” the ministry said in a statement.
Terminal’s columns inspired by Brahmakamal
The terminal’s columns, inspired by the Brahmakamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, are another distinctive feature. These columns, akin to blooming flowers, open to skylights, allowing the terminal to bask in natural light. This not only adds an aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the terminal’s sustainability measures by reducing the need for artificial lighting. The white colour of the columns, symbolising tranquility, further enhances the serene environment.
The terminal is designed to be inclusive and accessible for Divyangjans with facilities such as ramps, lifts, and specially designed restrooms.
Connectivity growth in Dehradun
Elaborating on the development work being carried out to deliver air connectivity, Scindia said the government was upgrading 3 airports in Uttarakhand — Dehradun, Pant Nagar, Pithoragarh. The state now has 7 heliports at Almora, Chinyalisaur, Gauchar, Sahastradhara, New Tehri, Srinagar and Haldwani while Dharchula, Haridwar, Joshimath, Mussoorie, Nainital and Ramnagar will soon have heliports. “The number of heliports will be increased to 21 in the upcoming years,” said Scindia.
According to the minister, Dehradun had air connectivity with only 3 destinations in 2004, which has now increased to 13. In 2014, the airport had only 46 flight movements a week, which has increased to currently 200 flights.
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