Latest news with #MonopulseSecondarySurveillanceRadar
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Expansion project shelved; govt seeks back Rs 100cr grant
Surat: The civil aviation department of Gujarat has directed the Surat collector's office to return Rs 100 crore, which was deposited as compensation for the acquisition of land for the airport expansion, a project that was suddenly suspended two years after being approved. The project envisaged an important CAT-1 approach lighting system to enhance visibility for pilots during landing in poor visibility conditions like fog, airport surveillance radar (ASR), and Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR). ASR is used for primary surveillance in the airport, airspace, and terminal area, while MSSR is an advanced radar that uses transponders on aircraft to provide exact position and identification information. The grant was assigned to a special land acquisition office in Surat to compensate owners of 20.33 acres of private land. Sources said that the Director of the Civil Aviation Department wrote a letter on June 16 requesting the return of the grant. Sources said the grant was immediately transferred back to the account provided by the civil aviation department. The Gujarat govt allocated Rs 215 crore for the project, which included installing a CAT-1 approach lighting system at the Surat airport on 20.33 acres of land. An additional five acres were to be acquired for ASR and MSSR. The project, which was deliberated for over 10 years, was finalised after an MOU was signed between the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the civil aviation department in December 2023. Moving swiftly, a special land acquisition officer was appointed under the supervision of the collector. The office received a first instalment of Rs 100 crore to acquire land from 20 private landowners in Magdalla village. "A grant of Rs 100 crore was allotted to your office for 20.33-acre land acquisition for the Surat Airport Expansion project following a proposal on the 'Gatishakti portal'. However, as AAI has written to the Surat collector on June 2 that it does not require the land as of now, and as AAI has asked to suspend land acquisition until further orders from AAI headquarters, it seems that there is no need for land now. So, it is requested that the grant allotted to you for compensation for land acquisition should be returned to our office," the letter from the civil aviation department read. The suspension of this expansion project has been criticised by Surat's aviation groups, who have cited safety concerns as runway 22 operated with a 615-metre displacement. The CAT-1 approach light was proposed on this side of the runway only.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Time of India
Raja Bhoj Airport takes up slew of measures to boost safety, efficiency
Bhopal: Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is undergoing significant renovations. The facility is implementing new features and enhancing existing infrastructure to boost safety and operational efficiency. The enhancements comprise an extended runway safety area, a newly constructed air traffic control tower, and improved emergency access routes. Additional developments include a new taxi track, fire station, and enhanced radar capabilities. These modifications are designed to comply with safety protocols and accommodate increased air traffic. Director, Ramjee Awasthi, said that safety for passengers and aircraft was their priority. "Our objective is to provide the best service to the travellers. Safety is an important aspect, and our objective is to implement the best possible safety measures at the airport," said Director Awasthi. The airport's recent focus on safety has yielded several crucial improvements. "A notable enhancement is the extended Runway End Safety Area (RESA), which increased from 90 metres to 150 metres, providing aircraft with additional stopping distance in case of runway overruns," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Your Patriotism: American Flag Bald Eagle Garland Graddi Read More Undo A newly constructed Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower replaces the previous structure, which was problematically positioned. The new tower provides controllers with enhanced visibility of the airfield, enabling more precise aircraft guidance. The facility has also realigned its boundary wall in the operational zone on the 30 side, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. New emergency access roads have been constructed along both sides of the runway, adhering to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) specifications. These routes ensure swift access for emergency vehicles during incidents. The airport's approach system was upgraded from CAT I to CAT II, enabling aircraft landings in reduced visibility conditions and minimising weather-related disruptions. Ongoing developments include the construction of a full-length parallel taxi track, scheduled for completion by June 2026, which will facilitate improved aircraft movement. A fire station is under construction to enhance the airport's fire safety classification and operational capabilities. The implementation of a new Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) is underway, with completion expected by Dec 2025, to improve air traffic management. Additional operational area realignment works are scheduled for completion by Dec 2025. These enhancements demonstrate Raja Bhoj Airport's dedication to safety and operational excellence. The facility continues to adapt to increasing air travel demands whilst ensuring compliance with DGCA CAR requirements, benefiting passengers, airlines, and the local community.
