AAI has decided to work in collaboration with the state government to ensure a smooth traffic flow in V I P and Jessore Road to provide an uninterrupted access to the airport for the city commuters.

Sources said the project will propose the construction of an elevated corridor to connect VIP Road and the Belghoria Expressway with a diversion to the airport so that passengers can reach the airport directly from VIP Road. “It is commendable that the government has visualised the problems that will be faced by passengers, once the airport modernisation is completed,” said SPS Bakshi, executive director (projects).

On March 28, a presentation on the Rs 2,000-crore modernisation project was made after a meeting between transport minister Subhas Chakraborty, CPM parliamentarian Amitabh Nandy, and AAI authorities at Writers’ Buildings.

By next week, AAI and the state government plan to work out the details of the project. According to AAI estimates, the Kolkata airport handles 250 flights a day. The modernisation project is scheduled to be completed by 2010, by then the number of flights is likely to increase four-fold.

“The airport is witnessing a phenomenal growth in terms of flight movement and passengers. Hence, planning an uninterrupted access to the airport is extremely important,” Bakshi said.

He assured that while work will be on to implement the proposed plan, in the meanwhile, an alternative will be provided to passengers so that they do not face any problem.