Flying High with a World Record
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Flying High with a World Record

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad has witnessed a phenomenal transformation in 2022. Along with the new runway, it needed an uplift to keep up with the growing demands po...

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad has witnessed a phenomenal transformation in 2022. Along with the new runway, it needed an uplift to keep up with the growing demands post the pandemic. The project breakdown Ahmedabad Airport has a single runway, designated 5/23, which is 3,489 m long and 46 m wide. The enhancement project includes runway overlaying, strip grading and slope assessment, grading of runway end safety area, storm water drains construction and the reinstallation of signages. The challenge was to re-carpet the runway without impacting the flight operations. One million manhours supported the project work with 600 individuals and over 300 pieces of equipment. AIC Infrastructure (AICPL) played a significant role in fulfilling the project’s requirements, and along with Adani Airport Holding (AAHL), only used nine hours of Notice to Airmen daily. The runway was open for 160 flights during work, for ~15 hours per day. While breakdowns are unavoidable, the frequency is controllable. AICPL deployed new machines to control this, by keeping a stock of critical spare parts at the site so that there is no loss of time during any such occurrence. Other upgrades Along with the new runway, other additions were made to the airport for travellers' ease. There’s an EV charging station, a new cargo terminal, a new airfield lighting system, and much more. The uni-directional cross fall of the runway has been changed to a bi-directional slope. There is now an 8 km drain parallel to the runway on either side with 05 taxiways and 02 rapid exit taxiway stubs. The runway centreline lights offer a provision for touchdown zone lighting that illuminates Runway 23 for better visibility. Paving world records Re-carpeting the 3.5 km runway had been estimated to take three years. AICPL, along with Dynapac, achieved this feat in a record time of just 74 days – an all-time best among the brownfield runways in India – creating a world record. Dynapac’s full fleet of equipment was used including Dynapac 9 wheeled CP275 PTR, CC425 Tandem Roller and SD2530CS Paver. The company also achieved the milestone of laying 4,178 tonne of asphalt in just 9 hours. Critical points Kritarth Raja, Chairman, AICPL, has mentioned that a project gains momentum with its efficient resources. They deployed Dynapac’s 9 m paver, which helped them achieve the target of working in sync with different OEMs. Sumit Srivastava, Regional Manager West, Dynapac, has added that it was a learning experience with the AIC and Pawan Rochlani teams. (Communication by the management of the company)

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