Mumbai airport radar ready, awaits nod from DGCA to begin operations

Mumbai: The Surface Movement Radar for the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), that can track any movement within the operational area of the Mumbai airport, could begin operations as early as Friday if the approval from the DGCA comes through. After Delhi, Mumbai will be the second airport in the country to have this radar.
“Earlier this week on Monday, AAI chairman V K Agarwal told the Civil Aviation Ministry that the radar would be ready by December 16. The installation for the first phase is over, but the starting of operations is subject to DGCA clearance. AAI is ready to begin once they get the approval, which may happen tomorrow,” said Alok Sinha, joint secretary, civil aviation ministry.
Airport Authority of India officials confirmed that the installation work is over. “We have completed the installation for the first phase. The safety assessment report has been sent to the AAI headquarters. The DGCA approval has been sought,” said a senior AAI official. Incidentally, AAI chairman is due to visit Mumbai on Friday for official work.
The radar, a key safety device, which ATC officers have been demanding since 2008, has missed several installation deadlines over the last year.
16/12/10 Ranjani Raghavan/Indian Express

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Categories: Airports Dec 2010