Patna: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has drawn up plans to install 12 high mast pole lights at Patna airport in an attempt to reduce the severe delays and cancellations that dog winter operations.
The lights, each tower carrying 40 lamps, are designed to ensure safer takeoffs and landings in conditions of low visibility, including when fog pushes visibility down to 550 metres. At present, aircraft operations at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport are disrupted when visibility drops below 1,000 metres.
The 12 towers are to be spread across a 900-metre stretch, but the plan has run into resistance. The AAI has requested land from Patna Zoo to erect the towers, but the zoo administration has referred the matter to the state forest department, citing tree cutting and land loss.
Officials at the zoo have asked the airport to submit details on the forest department’s entry portal and to provide land in exchange for land if clearance is to be granted. Without this, the zoo warned, its area would be reduced.
The AAI said that while it has submitted a demand report to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the approval process is proving lengthy. Officials maintain that once the lights are operational, up to 99% of winter flight cancellations could be eliminated.
