The additional facilities to be created include increasing aircraft parking stands to 42 bays from the current 30, two rapid exit taxiways, and full length parallel taxiways for enabling quick turn around for aircraft.

Also included in the new facilities are additional office space for airlines, extra cargo terminal space, additional car parking for passengers and public all of which have been incorporated to meet future needs.

For effective service standards delivery, enhancing seating facilities, extra immigration desks, self check-in kiosks, bus gate lounges, trolleys etc are also being done to cater to the growing demand of air travelers. Also several other first-of-its-kind aspects like landscaping and the state-of-the-art IT systems.

In terms of safety and security the most critical amongst airport facilities is to provide them in compliance with safety norms of BCAS for a safe journey to passengers, in accordance with the same, GHIAL has added additional security equipments, boundary wall masonry activities etc.

For meeting this additional expenditure, GHIAL has decided to inject an additional investment of Rs. 523 crore including the investment in fuel farm facilities. A decision to this effect was taken at GHIAL Board meeting held in Hyderabad on October 16, 2006.The additional investment would be raised by way of 100% debt from leading banks.

With the infusion of this additional investment, the total project cost will now be Rs. 2,283.18 crore.

Commenting on the new facilities planned to be created at the International airport, Mr. Srinagesh said: "We are creating these additional facilities keeping in view the tremendous growth being witnessed in air-traffic in Hyderabad. I am sure these new facilities will go a long way in ensuring a hassle-free travel for the passengers."

He added that the new facilities would not cause any delay in the project work, which is progressing at a brisk pace.

GMR-HIAL is a joint venture company promoted by GMR Infrastructure (63 pc); Malaysian Airports Holding Berhad (11 pc), Airports Authority of India (13 pc) and Government of Andhra Pradesh (13 pc), which has been mandated to develop a world-class international airport in about 5,500 acres in Shamshabad. The airport is estimated to cost Rs 1,760 crore in the first-phase, which is expected to become operational by the first quarter of 2008.

GHIAL has awarded the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) works to China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (CSCEHK) for Rs 615 crore. The GHIAL has also given airside and runway works to L&T at a cost of Rs 495 crore.

It has recently awarded In-flight Catering to two renowned companies named LSG Sky Chef and Sky Gourmet.

The work on the airport is progressing at a very brisk pace as per schedule.