Pune airport’s new security hold area 95% complete but needs 2-3 months to starts ops

Pune: Over 95% of work has been completed at the new security hold area of the city airport, but passengers have to wait till late July or Aug for the facility to become operational.Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said on Monday that important procurement and regulatory approvals were pending. "A requisition has been sent to the Airports Authority of India headquarters for key security equipment such as door frame metal detectors and explosive trace detectors, which are expected to arrive by mid-June," Dhoke said."The project is crucial as it will significantly expand the terminal's capacity. Civil and electrical work, including installation of CCTV cameras and fire safety systems, are nearly complete. However, commissioning will take additional time," he added.Work on the security hold area (SHA) began in early 2025 in the arrival section of the old terminal building. Once completed, it will expand the airport's total terminal area — currently 52,000sqm — by an additional 4,000sqm. The project has already missed multiple deadlines, having initially been slated for commissioning in March, and later pushed to the end of May.Officials said the next phase hinges on the installation of screening and security systems. Once installed, a detailed floor plan will be prepared and submitted to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) office in Mumbai. The proposal will then be reviewed and forwarded to BCAS headquarters in Delhi for final approval."The BCAS clearance is a critical step. After reviewing the plans, their team will conduct a physical inspection before granting approval. This process can take a month or longer depending on workload and other factors," Dhoke said.A similar delay had occurred during the launch of the new terminal building in 2024, when regulatory approvals extended timelines even after the facility was inaugurated.The new SHA is expected to ease passenger movement and congestion, especially during peak travel seasons. It will feature 14 additional check-in counters, three X-ray baggage inspection machines, and two remote boarding gates. The project will also add another departure gate, improving passenger flow into the terminal.Currently, Pune airport handles around 17,000 to 18,000 departing passengers daily, which is expected to rise during the winter and festive seasons. Officials believe the expanded SHA will help manage this growing demand more efficiently.However, frequent flyers remain frustrated with the delays. Pravin Shinde, a private sector employee who travels regularly, said infrastructure gaps persist. "Some departure gates still have limited space and inadequate seating. While crowding has reduced compared to earlier, projects meant to improve passenger comfort should not face repeated delays," he said.
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