VADODARA: The Airports Authority of India ( AAI ) has started renting out the old terminal building of Vadodara airport for private functions including film shooting, garbas and community programmes.TOI in January this year had reported that AAI had decided to utilise the old terminal building of Vadodara airport which had fallen vacant after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new aerodynamic shaped terminal building just adjacent to the old terminal building in October 2016.While the old terminal building – a red brick-face structure – had already hosted two events, including a garba function and a community function organised by Sindhi community earlier this year, last week, Bollywood actors John Abraham and Jackie Shroff also arrived at the terminal building for shooting of their upcoming film – RAW.AAI sources suggest that the building has been booked for a wedding, scheduled in February 2019.“We are utilising the old terminal building which is lying abandoned and is set to get demolished so that we can generate revenue,” said Vadodara airport director Charan Singh.“As per our rules, there should be no obstructions in the 150 metres range from the central line of the runway. The old terminal building falls in 160 metres. Hence, it needs to be demolished. Once, we get space by demolishing this old terminal building, it can be used for aircraft parking,” he said.“But till the time the old terminal building gets demolished, it can be used by renting out its space for organising exhibitions, marriage functions or social programmes,” he said.AAI, however, has a certain set of rules when it comes to utilising this space. “We do not allow busting of fire crackers during the time when flights are scheduled for departures. Also, the concerned organisers are asked to make all necessary arrangements regarding fire safety and security and garbage cannot be disposed at any place,” he said.AAI has also fixed rates for renting the premises. “For the open space outside the terminal building, the rate is Rs 222 per square metre per month,” he said, adding that for single event, the rent is calculated on pro-rata basis.

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