Chennai's new runway raises safety fears

The recent crash of the Air India jet in Mangalore which claimed 158 lives has raised safety concerns about the new secondary runway at Chennai’s Anna International Airport. Airport sources told this newspaper that the authorities have paid little heed to the large amount of rubber deposit on the runway that stretches across the Adyar River.
Rubber deposit on a tarmac can lead to a plane skidding out of control while taking off or landing. “No safety measures have been taken while laying the rubber during the construction of the secondary runway. This has resulted in uneven rubber deposits,” said Capt. A. Ranganathan, a leading aviation expert.
“As it is the first runway being built across a river in the country, the Airports Authority of India should have ensured the highest levels of safety were followed in the construction.” However, a senior Airports Authority of India official in charge of ground operations claimed that there is no need to worry about the rubber deposit and that it is rain that poses a major threat.
“Not only does operating aircraft in heavy rain increase the operational danger, but there are many loopholes and relaxations in Indian aviation guidelines which need to be addressed urgently,” he said.
31/05/10 Deccan Chronicle

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Categories: Airports May 2010, Safety May 2010