The construction activities of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Terminal 2 Development Project which were stalled has commenced despite the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka (AASL) commenced the construction of the BIA terminal 2 in December 2020 and the construction activities are underway. The total cost of the project, comprising Construction Cost of Package A and Package B, Contingencies (10%) and Consultancy Services, is US$ 550 million and the funding is from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“There are few other matters and they too will be completed in less than two months and the project will start in June and complete in 2023 August increasing the present passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million to 15 million per annum,” said AASL Chairman G. A. Chandrasiri.
The construction work of the new terminal 2 commenced on December 15, 2020, and was expected to be completed in December 2023. “Project Management Unit, AASL together with the JV Japan Airport Consultants (JAC)/Nippon Koei Co., Ltd, the consultants of the project and TAISEI Corporation, Japan, the contractor are working towards the achievement of the objectives of the project.”
“The Contractor has been able to complete 94% of the work and the remaining Polymer Modified Asphalt overlaying will be completed within the next 4 months’ time. Once completed, 23 new aircraft parking bases will be added to the new terminal.”
Preliminary works and soil investigations for pile foundations have been completed. Clearing the areas for the main terminal building by root balling existing trees and replanting, hoarding for the construction area, boring and concreting of pile foundations for Main Terminal Building and viaduct (overhead entry and exit to the main terminal) are in progress.
“Since the development activities are taking place in an operational airport it requires special prior approvals by Aviation Authorities with operational impact, safety and security studies concerning the effect of construction activities on airport operations which are being carried out by the contractor and the project consultant,” the Chairman AASL said.
In addition to increased cargo capacity in line with other developments, the government will invest Rs. 2 billion to boost cargo capacity by 100%. This will help to increase the current Cargo Village capacity from 250,000 MTs to 500,000 MTs per annum.
Meanwhile, explaining the environmental aspects, AASL Director Aviation Projects/Director Aruna Warushahennadige said that the BIA Terminal 2 development project has a special program on ‘Tree Planting’ with a special focus on highly efficient Oxygen emitting trees such as mango and sandalwood.
“Because of this project, around 1,200 trees are affected. However, we are preserving 200 trees onsite and 300 trees are root balled. This program commenced on March 27, 2021.” (SS)
