Gaya airport's runway expansion plan faces hurdles

Delay in acquiring land has hit the expansion of Gaya airport. Expansion of runway in the airpor is planned to accommodate bigger planes. Night landing facility too stands withdrawn following the alleged theft of devices and the failure of the Airport Authority of India to re install the devices.

The Gaya police, on their part have assured protection of night-landing devices. According to sources, the officials will have to explain the 'bullock cart' pace of the process to provide 100 acres of additional land to facilitate runway expansion and subsequent landing of bigger planes. On account of a shorter run way, A-310 planes of the 757 series having a passenger capacity of 250 cannot land in Gaya airport.

The runway length has to be increased to 900 ft from the present 750 ft to facilitate the landing and take off of the bigger planes. As of now A-320 type planes with a passenger capacity of 140 can land at the airport, thereby limiting the operation of the airport.