Airport tower on city radar

Kolkata: It evolved on the drawing board in Paris. And for Kolkata's sooty skyline, it should work wonders.
"Airports de Paris, the French architect firm that had designed Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, has created a fabulous air traffic control tower (ATC) for Kolkata airport. In years ahead, it will be an iconic piece of architecture," said Airports Authority of India member (planning) V P Agrawal.
The torch-shaped tower with a 36-metre-plus semi-spiralling concrete base will be crowned with a four-level steel and glass cylinder. The four walls of the base is so designed that it twists clockwise to impart a circular feel. Through its centre will run the horizontal elevator shafts, allowing access to the control centre atop the tower.
To be located next to the cargo section beyond the abandoned international terminal, it is expected to create an identity of its own. "It will be located at the extreme northern end, away from the administrative building, current ATC and domestic and integrated terminals," airport director V K Monga said.
While all air controllers - those handling surface movement as well as those monitoring movement in the air - are currently located in an uncharacteristic eight storey building block housed between the domestic terminal and the administrative building, only controllers overseeing ground movement will shift to the new tower, creating a clear distinction between the two operations.
26/10/07 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Oct 2007, New Oct 2007