In a grand display of innovation fused with tradition, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, remotely inaugurated the colossal new Terminal Building at Dehradun Airport, all the way from New Delhi. Uttarakhand’s own Chief Minister, Puskar Singh Dhami, graced the event in Dehradun, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
With a whopping investment of Rs. 486 crore, this architectural behemoth isn’t just a feast for the eyes but a powerhouse of capacity, poised to handle a surge of 3240 passengers at peak hours and a yearly footfall of 47 Lakh passengers. The terminal now stretches over an impressive 42,776 sqm area, marking a tenfold increase in its capacity, as proudly announced by Minister Scindia. This expansion is part of a meticulously planned two-phase construction strategy, ensuring the airport’s operations remained smooth and uninterrupted.
But the grandeur doesn’t stop at mere numbers. The government is on a mission to enhance air connectivity within Uttarakhand, with upgrades to three airports and the introduction of seven heliports, with plans to add even more. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dehradun’s connectivity has skyrocketed from 3 to 13 destinations since 2004, with flight movements jumping from 46 to 200 per week.
Nestled within 326.42 acres and located strategically 20 km from Rishikesh and 35 km from Haridwar, the Jolly Grant Airport, as it’s also known, is not just an airport but the gateway to the Garhwal region, boosting tourism significantly.
The design of the Dehradun Airport Terminal is a narrative of local heritage and ethos, merged seamlessly with modern architectural principles. Inspired by the local culture and environmental beauty, the terminal boasts features like columns that echo the Prayer Wheels of Buddhist monasteries and the sacred Gayatri Mantra, alongside a roof design that is both energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
Not to be overlooked, the terminal’s columns, inspired by the Brahmakamal, Uttarakhand’s state flower, add a touch of natural beauty and sustainability. These features, combined with modern amenities and thoughtful inclusions for Divyangjans, make the terminal a model of inclusivity and environmental consciousness.
The newly inaugurated terminal comes packed with features to ease the travel experience, including 48 check-in counters, ample parking, and enhanced baggage handling facilities.
The event saw the attendance of notable personalities, including Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Naresh Bansal, and Brij Bhushan Gairola, along with officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Uttarakhand government, all coming together to mark a new chapter in the saga of Dehradun’s aviation history.
