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KOLKATA: Work on equipping the new technical building and air traffic control tower at Kolkata airport is set to commence soon following the completion of its construction. While it will take around a year to get the facility function-ready, a team helmed by ATC general manager S D Burman will then set in motion a transition process that will see both the existing and the new facility function in tandem before the complete switchover.
Speaking to TOI, airport officials said the new technical building and ATC tower will be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the civil contractor this month-end, after which a turnkey project contractor will procure and install the latest communication, navigation and surveillance gadgets. “This is the first time in India that a project is being given on a turnkey basis to a single vendor who will be responsible for integration of all systems in the facility,” said an official.
The upgrade of the air traffic navigation (ATN) complex will see the size of the area control facility increase from 7,640 sq ft to 14,316 sq ft while area at the visual control room atop the tower will go up from 1,260 sq ft to 2,475 sq ft. The height of the tower will go up from 112 ft in the present facility to 184 ft in the new one. The glass panes in the tower are 37.5mm thick tempered glass to withstand high velocity winds.
The technical building that will sport a building management system will house a medical inspection room, child care room, fitness, sports and relaxation facilities, including separate rooms for gym, billiards, table tennis and yoga and a room for controllers and pilots to interact. There will also be a de-stressing lounge for controllers.
Another official said the latest navigation and surveillance equipment will be installed in the facility designed to ensure safe flight operations. The equipment that will be installed include a new automation system, voice communication, very high frequency antenna, ground guidance and surveillance equipment for aircraft and other vehicles, and systems to broadcast meteorological data to aircraft. The overall cost of the equipment is pegged around Rs 350 crore-Rs 400 crore.
“The automation system currently in use was installed in 2013 to track flights in real time using radars and ensure they negotiate the airspace safely. It is now at the end of the 10-year life cycle. Latest automation systems have become more advanced with several new features incorporated. The new internet protocol-based voice communication system also has the latest features. The VHF antenna currently installed has one output. The new antenna to be procured will have three outputs with redundancy to minimise chances of failure,” an aviation communications expert explained.
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