AAI plans to trim runway as Bokaro airport hits hurdles

Bokaro: The length of the runway of the under-construction Bokaro airport will be reduced by 121 metres after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) came across several technical problems during an inspection last month.
The AAI’s civil department and safety team, which inspected the final stages of the construction last month, located eight obstacles within the proposed funnel zone and the zeroing threshold points on the runway along the Dundibagh area of the town. Subsequently, the AAI has written to the Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) management and asked it to remove the obstacles.
In aviation parlance, funnel zones are referred to an imaginary flight path which extends outwards and upwards from the runway. Threshold points are referred to the start of a runway that is available for landing. These two clearances are essential for any airport to begin operations.
The Bokaro airport project’s commissioning has been delayed due to encroachment and Covid 19-induced lockdown. However, the proximity of the boundary wall built along Dundibagh to the runway has posed a hindrance in terms of getting a threshold. Originally designed to be 1,671 metres long, the engineers are now pruning the runway to 1,500 metres to get the necessary safety clearances.
The airport, being built at a net cost of Rs 46 crore by the AAI, will be managed by the BSL once it is commissioned.
According to AAI officers, at present, there are four major expansion works left in Bokaro airport, which includes construction of a fire station, approach road, RESA runway works with threshold bar and installation of PAPI lights. The obstacles within the funnel zone include telecommunication towers, advertising boards and big trees outside the airport boundary wall.
“Preparations have been made to remove eight obstacles identified by the AAI, which will be completed soon. Work on manual and SOP for applying for license is almost complete. The BSL will soon submit the application for the license,” said Manikant Dhan, chief communications officer of BSL.