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BIA new terminal project takes off with loan from Japan
The Bandaranaike International Airport’s new terminal is to be constructed by a Japanese company at a cost of Rs 108 billion, Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi said.
He said they hoped to complete the project in three years and the funding would come as a loan from the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA).
Japanese companies have been selected as consultants and builders.
The project had been delayed for more than four years following allegations that the engineering cost quoted was 43 percent more than the market price. However after negotiations the rates were revised.
About 200 Japanese are due to arrive in Sri Lanka for engineering work and supervision of the project.
With the construction of the new terminal, an additional nine million passengers could be handled a year raising the capacity from six million to 15 million. A facility to park 600 vehicles will be available after completion, the secretary said.
Meanwhile, the Katunanayake-Minuwangoda road will be closed when the construction begins next month. A special traffic plan will be put into operation in the area.