Pune: Over 95% of work has been completed at the new security hold area of the city airport, but passengers will have to wait until late July or August for the facility to become operational. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke stated on Monday that important procurement and regulatory approvals are still pending.
Status of the Project
Dhoke explained that a requisition has been sent to the Airports Authority of India headquarters for key security equipment, including door frame metal detectors and explosive trace detectors, which are expected to arrive by mid-June. The project is crucial as it will significantly expand the terminal's capacity. Civil and electrical work, such as the installation of CCTV cameras and fire safety systems, is nearly complete. However, commissioning will take additional time.
Scope of Expansion
Work on the security hold area began in early 2025 in the arrival section of the old terminal building. Once completed, it will expand the airport's total terminal area from the current 52,000 square meters by an additional 4,000 square meters. The project has already missed multiple deadlines, initially slated for March and later pushed to the end of May.
Officials noted that the next phase depends on the installation of screening and security systems. After installation, a detailed floor plan will be prepared and submitted to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security office in Mumbai. The proposal will then be reviewed and forwarded to BCAS headquarters in Delhi for final approval. Dhoke emphasized that the BCAS clearance is a critical step, involving a physical inspection by their team, which can take a month or longer depending on workload and other factors.
Similar Delays in the Past
A similar delay occurred during the launch of the new terminal building in 2024, when regulatory approvals extended timelines even after the facility was inaugurated.
Expected Benefits
The new security hold area 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, a number expected to rise during the winter and festive seasons. Officials believe the expanded SHA will help manage this growing demand more efficiently.
Passenger Frustration
However, frequent flyers remain frustrated with the delays. Pravin Shinde, a private sector employee who travels regularly, highlighted that infrastructure gaps persist. Some departure gates still have limited space and inadequate seating. While crowding has reduced compared to earlier times, projects meant to improve passenger comfort should not face repeated delays, he said.
