AGARTALA: Delay in land acquisition for expansion of Agartala airport in the western side along Bangladesh border has posed a threat to air traffic movement in the state while Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued deadline for completion of necessary expansion by December 2012.
Agartala airport Director S Maiti said here today that DGCA had issued enhanced guidelines making 150 metres open space in both side of the runway mandatory for the airport in August 2010 with the introduction of frequent movement of airbus. “We asked the state government to provide us required land for the expansion of the airport but we have not yet get any positive signal from the state and as a result, the compliance of DGCA guidelines are still remained unaddressed,” Mr Maiti stated.
According to report, north-south run Agartala airport is spread over 7500 ft length and 150 ft width and in the eastern side it is having 150 meters of open space as per the guideline but in the western side it left only 70 ft up to the boundary and in outside there are more than 50 houses in bordering settlement. “As per the requirement of DGCA, Agartala airport boundary has to be shifted at least another 80 metres, almost close to Indo-Bangladesh border and it required moved the houses from the area, which is the duty of the state government but Ministry of Civil Aviation would pay required compensation to the state,” Mr Maiti pointed out. He underlined that DGCA enhanced their guidelines after thorough investigation in all the small and medium size airports of the country last year keeping safety issues regarding take off and landing of the bid aircraft and airport authorities had been given two and half years time to make necessary expansion.
Meanwhile, state transport special secretary Kishore Ambuly admitted the receive of the airport authorities requisition of land but it did not spell out clearly about the issue of compensation and that held up the process over the years. (UNI)
