Shirdi airport: Re-carpeting of runway begins

27 Aug 2024 CW Team

Re-carpeting work at the airport, managed and operated by Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC), is expected to continue until next February. Shirdi airport director Gaurav Upshyam mentioned that initial work related to re-carpeting has already commenced, with the hot cement mixing plant set up and the contractor working on other areas, such as taxiways. He added that the main work on the runway is scheduled to begin in early October, once the monsoon subsides.

The airport, which was inaugurated by former President Ram Nath Kovind in October 2017, received its license from the DGCA to operate after sunset last February. However, after-sunset flights have not yet commenced.

An MADC official stated that, since the airport operates only between 11 am and 6 pm, re-carpeting work has been planned for after sunset, starting around 6:30 pm and continuing until 10:30 am. While proper re-carpeting of the main runway area is planned, the official noted that any decisions regarding potential disruptions to flight movements would be made based on the situation at the time.

Once the re-carpeting work is completed, the airport is expected to become operational 24 hours a day, with ongoing discussions with airlines, Upshyam said. He further explained that the airport's runway, which has a total length of 3,200 meters, currently uses 2,500 meters. Upon completion of the re-carpeting, the entire stretch will be available for use by airlines.

The director also noted that approximately 2,000 passengers use the airport for arrivals and departures daily and mentioned plans to work towards a new terminal building, which will require additional CISF personnel and other infrastructure.

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