Mumbai: Nervous that the proposed Bandra-Versova sea-link will hamper their plans for the development of the Juhu airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is asking for basic project details from the state government. In a major development plan for the Juhu aerodrome, AAI is planning to extend the runway into the sea.
The idea behind the extension is to allow operations of bigger aircraft like ATRs at Juhu and relieve the main Mumbai airport of a bit of air-traffic. However, AAI fears that this project may suffer a set back if the Bandra-Versova sea-link comes up. Officials said that the sea-link may act as an obstruction to the flight path if it is constructed beyond a certain height. AAI is eagerly waiting to see the sea-link proposal to decide on their stance.
As per the AAI proposal, the runway will extend above 1000 meters into the sea. AAI said that only if the sea-link is constructed not more than five meters from the runway height, can both projects be amicable. "If the sea-link is 900 meters long, it cannot be more than five meters from the runway height. Otherwise, it will obstruct the flight path and render the extended runway useless," said VSP Chinson, regional general manager, airports.
15/02/13 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India
