"I will be giving a date to (Civil Aviation) Minister so that he can coordinate with the Prime Minister's Office. We would like to call the Prime Minister for inauguration," AAI chairman V P Agarwal told reporters here.
"So from my side we are gearing up for operationalisation of the building. Anytime, may be beyond August 15.... On the convenience of Prime Minister and Chief Minister," he said.
The Civil Aviation Minister would write to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister for the inauguration, he said.
On the present status of work at the new buildings, he said, both domestic and international terminals were ready, but
for additional manpower from CISF, Customs and Immigration.
On cargo handling, he said, "We are putting ASRS (Automatic Storage System), which will increase the capacity manifold... It will be sufficient to take care of the cargo till 2017-18."
AAI will go for consultations with a private party for cargo operations on how perfect on even small things, he said.
Asked about the second runway, he said there were some issues for removing obstructions on 15.6 acres. The state government was yet to issue a notification and remove them.
He said the airport would soon have another radar, for which the tender has been finalised and a team dispatched to inspect the equipment.
The building to mount the ASARMSSR radar was ready and the terminal would have it in three to four months, he said.
Asked for the reasons behind the delay in inauguration of the new terminals, he said it was due to to the late arrival of the aerobridge.
"But now they will be installed in 15 days," he said.
On whether AAI would would continue to operate Chennai airport after inauguration, he said it was a matter to be ultimately decided by the "political bosses."
He also said Chennai has recently been awarded the best performing airport in South East Region for cargo operations for the year 2012 by the South East India CEO Conclave.
