Rs 2.23 bn reconstruction of secondary runway begins next month

30 Oct 2023 CW Team

In addition to the runway reconstruction, the strengthening of Taxiway C and the reconstruction of portions of Taxiways K and A are also in the pipeline. A senior airport official announced, "We are inviting tenders for the reconstruction of rigid portions of the secondary runway, ?K? and ?A? taxiway, and strengthening of ?C? taxiway at the airport. The project was long overdue and is slated to start immediately after the monsoon. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.23 billion."

The official further mentioned that the project is likely to commence next month and should be completed in 22 months, including the four months of two monsoon seasons when construction activity will be limited due to the rain. The secondary runway is required twice a week when the primary runway remains closed for maintenance of the CAT III-B instrument landing system.

Although a repair and re-carpeting of the 3,270 m runway was done four years ago, increased air traffic and prolonged rainy spells have made parts of the runway in urgent need of attention. An official stated, "The secondary runway urgently needs repairs to make it usable in emergencies or during planned shutdowns of the primary runway. It will be a time-consuming process, and we are taking all effective measures to facilitate it."

Simultaneously, efforts are underway to augment the secondary runway?s capacity. Currently, it can handle 15 flights an hour, half that of the primary runway. During peak hours, flights get delayed as the secondary runway cannot accommodate them when the primary runway is closed. The primary runway?s capacity is 35 flights an hour, and authorities are working to increase it to 45 flights an hour by strengthening the taxiways. An official confirmed that the airport currently handles 30 flights an hour during rush hours.

Additionally, the ongoing work includes strengthening Taxi Track C, a vital taxi track that serves as the second last exit just after the rapid exit taxiway. Officials explained that this right-angle exit cuts through the secondary runway and meets Taxi Track A.

The jarring and rutted portions of the secondary runway at Kolkata airport, which have developed craters and lost flexibility due to incessant rain and years of use, are set for reconstruction. Once the reconstruction is complete, the runway, crucial for uninterrupted flight operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, will be more favourable for flights to take off. In addition to the runway reconstruction, the strengthening of Taxiway C and the reconstruction of portions of Taxiways K and A are also in the pipeline. A senior airport official announced, We are inviting tenders for the reconstruction of rigid portions of the secondary runway, ?K? and ?A? taxiway, and strengthening of ?C? taxiway at the airport. The project was long overdue and is slated to start immediately after the monsoon. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.23 billion. The official further mentioned that the project is likely to commence next month and should be completed in 22 months, including the four months of two monsoon seasons when construction activity will be limited due to the rain. The secondary runway is required twice a week when the primary runway remains closed for maintenance of the CAT III-B instrument landing system. Although a repair and re-carpeting of the 3,270 m runway was done four years ago, increased air traffic and prolonged rainy spells have made parts of the runway in urgent need of attention. An official stated, The secondary runway urgently needs repairs to make it usable in emergencies or during planned shutdowns of the primary runway. It will be a time-consuming process, and we are taking all effective measures to facilitate it. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to augment the secondary runway?s capacity. Currently, it can handle 15 flights an hour, half that of the primary runway. During peak hours, flights get delayed as the secondary runway cannot accommodate them when the primary runway is closed. The primary runway?s capacity is 35 flights an hour, and authorities are working to increase it to 45 flights an hour by strengthening the taxiways. An official confirmed that the airport currently handles 30 flights an hour during rush hours. Additionally, the ongoing work includes strengthening Taxi Track C, a vital taxi track that serves as the second last exit just after the rapid exit taxiway. Officials explained that this right-angle exit cuts through the secondary runway and meets Taxi Track A.