Uncertainty looms over construction of new ATC tower in Kozhikode airport

Kondotty: The project for building a new ATC (Air Traffic Control) tower at the Kozhikode International Airport is in limbo due to land constraints. The plan was to construct a technical block building and a new tower in the wireless station compound. But the expert committee of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) who arrived from Delhi to examine the feasibility of the project, only gave consent to build the technical building and not the tower. 

 It is said that the expert committee while granting permission for the construction of the new technical building had asked the Kozhikode airport authorities to construct the new ATC tower opposite the terminal. However, due to the non-availability of land, the tower can’t be constructed in that area. The 18-metre-long ATC tower at Kozhikode airport is situated adjacent to the parking bay. 

The current tower stands close to the runway which is in violation of international guidelines. As per the rules, the requirement is 140 m runway strip on either side of the runway centre line. Also, the tower height should be seven times the height of the existing ATC tower. The airport authorities intended to discard the old building as part of the renovation works. Moving the tower from its current location will allow more parking space for airplanes. 

 17/08/2023 A Suresh/Mathrubhumi

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Aug 2023