Work on the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Expansion Project, the largest development project to be launched this year, is all set to commence on November 18.
The project is being implemented at a cost of Rs.15,183 million with the objective of increasing the annual passenger handling capacity of the International Airport.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga says that construction work will commence on the occasion of the first anniversary of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s inauguration as President and would also coincide with the birthday of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Construction work of this project will take place in two “A” and “B” phases. The cost of the “A” phase will be Rs.108 billion.
It is scheduled to be completed in three years and under the first phase (Phase “A”), the buildings connected to the main terminal building, passenger bridges, storm water drainage system, elevated roads, electricity, water supply and waste disposal system, compact machinery and a five storey car park will also be constructed.
Under the second phase (Phase “B”) the machinery, access road, retention pond and storm water drainage system will be constructed and 80 percent of its development work would be completed. The estimated cost for this pahse is Rs. six billion. The Minister further said the relevant contractor has been instructed to complete the construction work within the stipulated time and the Airport and Aviation Authority has been instructed to take the necessary steps to complete the project within the stipulated time.
