Airport terminal for Haj pilgrims

KOLKATA: Haj pilgrims no longer have to wait under shamianas at the airport. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has started a multi-purpose terminal, especially for those bound for Haj, which will be used for low-cost carriers at other times.
The first Air India Haj flight from Kolkata will take off with 422 pilgrims from this terminal on Tuesday afternoon.
One of the advantages of the new terminal is that passengers of routine flights will no longer be inconvenienced due to festive-season rush. "To avoid the extra rush at the airport during special occasions like Haj, we have constructed the terminal, where our old international terminal once stood. During other times of the year, when there is rush, the multipurpose terminal will be used as a dedicated one for low-cost carriers or executive-class passengers," said airport director R Srinivasan.
Till 2008, Haj pilgrims would have to wait outside the airport terminal building under shamianas till they were called for check-in. Even when they went in, they would be cramped up at the check-in, immigration and security counters. As a result, other international passengers would also be inconvenienced.
The new air-conditioned terminal has X-ray machines, five check-in counters, three immigration counters, two Customs counters, a bank extension counter for foreign exchange transactions and a medical room. "We have also set up two wuzukhanas and enclosed spaces for women to offer Namaaz," said general manager (operations) Mahesh Kaul. The terminal can accommodate 430 passengers.
Pilgrims from Patna and Ranchi, however, will not be able to avail of this terminal immediately upon arriving at the airport. AAI officials have erected an 11,000-sqft shamiana for them, with seating arrangements for 450 pilgrims. They can make use of washroom and other facilities of the terminal though.
AAI officials have restricted the movement of large vehicles within the airport. "Buses can unload pilgrims and their relatives at the airport and then park on VIP Road," Srinivasan said.
"Altogether, 10,575 pilgrims from Bengal will fly to Medina this year. From Patna and Ranchi, there will be 5,706 and 2,630 pilgrims. With a separate terminal, we can serve Haj passengers better," he added.