Patna: The authorities have planned a major makeover for Patna airport, and the new facility when complete will have 11 aerobridges (that enable direct de-boarding onto the terminal building), an aesthetically designed terminal building, and will be able to cater to three million passengers every year, double of the present 1.5 million.

"Patna airport is all set to get a new look once the new terminal building gets readied," said Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport director Rajendra Singh Lahouria. "The swank, new, state-of-the-art integrated terminal, which will be developed under the airport modernisation plan, can cater to around 3 million passengers per annum. This will be done keeping in mind the increase in number of passengers till 2035."

He shared more details about the revamped airport. The new terminal building - for which the blueprint is ready and the hunt is on for an architect - will be built in such a way that it looks pleasing both from the road as well as from the sky.

The city side will be aesthetically landscaped with green areas. One will be able to see the flights landing and taking off while sitting in the departure hall. There will also be a separate arrangement for the operation of international flights.

The terminal building will be adorned with Mithila on the walls and there will be inscriptions on the ceilings.

"A replica of the Asoka stambh will also be put up just in front of the new terminal building with the national flag flying against it," Lahouria added.

Music will be played in between flight schedule announcements and the VIP departure lounge will be sound-proof, an airport official said.

The expansion work will be carried out in two phases roughly on an area of 11.35 acres. The first phase of work is likely to begin by April-May this year and will be completed by 2019. The second phase work will be completed by 2021. The first phase would incur an investment of Rs 500 crore while the second will cost another Rs 350 crore.

According to the Airports Authority of India plan, once the work on phase one of the terminal building is completed, passenger operations will be shifted to it and the existing terminal building will be demolished for construction work to begin on phase II of the new terminal building.

Even before that, four new x-ray baggage machines will be installed at the check in-area, replacing the two machines currently functioning. Airport director Lahouria said the new expanded airport will have inline baggage x-ray - like in bigger airports - that will be installed and the present x-ray machines dismantled.

According to the plan, three hangars will also be developed at the Bihar Flying Club, including two for the state government and one for the flying club. The existing state hangar near the airport will be subsequently demolished for the AAI to develop part of the new terminal building on the location.

Work on the Bihta airport, which will be for bigger planes, will start in October 2019.

The total number of flights at Patna airport is expected to go up from the present 36 to 49 from March 25, when the airport will become functional 24x7.