New ATC tower at IGI by 2010

New Delhi: In a move that promises a major boost to air safety, IGI Airport is all set to get a brand new air traffic control (ATC) tower for the upcoming integrated domestic-cum-international terminal by March 2010 six years ahead of schedule. As per the original plan, the new tower was supposed to be ready by 2016, when IGI would have had at least three parallel runways as the existing secondary one that almost merges with the main airstrip currently would have been straightened.
Now this time line could change, thanks to a visit to the airport on Friday by a team of top aviation ministry officials headed by secretary M Madhavan Nambiar. This team spent a considerable time at the upcoming integrated terminal (T3). Spread over 55 lakh square feet, the seven-storey T3 is going to be the second largest single terminal in the world, next only to Beijing's 70 lakh square feet new terminal.
"When these logistics were being discussed, it was felt that the existing ATC tower despite being much higher than T3 could pale in comparison to the new terminal. As per the original agreement, the Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) was to build the new ATC tower by 2016. At this stage, the team lead by Nambiar suggested that DIAL complete the new tower and open it along with T3 in March 2010. After all, a world class airport should get its signature ATC tower simultaneously,'' said a senior official.
07/10/08 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Oct 2008, New Oct 2008