Airport authorities have begun testing equipment at the new-look Chennai airport.
With the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board providing the power supply at the project area, testing began late last week, said Mr E.P. Hareendranathan, Airport Director, Chennai.
Electro mechanical equipment such as conveyor systems, lifts, air-conditioning and security systems are being tested.
The tests have to go on for at least a month, before the airport is ready for flight takeoff. The power requirement at the expanded airport is around 110 KVA – more than three times the current need. Power was promised by December, but there had been indefinite delay.
Dummy trials with passengers are expected to start in a couple of weeks, said Mr Hareendranathan. The drill includes mock check-in, baggage scan and other terminal-related processes. After this, one or two flights will be flown during the lean period. More flights and airlines will be shifted in a phased manner thereafter.
The formal inauguration of the refurbished airport is likely by April-end.