MUMBAI, July 9: Rites, a government enterprise, has prepared a feasibility study for the development of Jalgaon airport by the district municipality for operating B737/Airbus A 320 aircraft. The Rs 100-crore Jalgaon municipality is the first civic body to be allowed by the state government to upgrade its airport.The proposal will be carried out in two phases: A) development of facilities for operation of 50-seater aircraft (Rs 14.44 crore), and B) augmentation of facilities for operation of B737/airbus A 320 aircraft (Rs 34.18 crore).
State housing minister and former president of Jalgaon Municipality Suresh Jain told The Financial Express that RITES has been asked to prepare a tender document and submit it to the civic body. As soon as the document is ready, the civic body will float a tender for construction.
Jain, who mooted the idea at the state level, said that the civic body could raise the necessary funds. "Besides internal accruals, it will borrow from the Housing and Urban DevelopmentCorporation (Hudco) and financial institutions," he added.
The existing runway 09-27, made of flexible pavement, is 1,478 metres long and 45 metres wide, which is inadequate for the proposed operations.Phase I will be completed within 15 months from the date of commencing construction. In phase II, the existing runway will be strengthened and extended by 302 metres to meet the total length requirement of 1,780 metres for operation of 50-seater aircraft. The extension is proposed on 27-end.
The width of the existing 45-meter runway will be maintained through the extention portion and shoulders of width 7.5 metres will be provided.
A new building of 14 m X 14 m is proposed to accommodate a technical block on the ground floor and an air-traffic control tower at the top. The existing terminal building will be used with minor modifications with functional requirements.
During phase II, the runway will be extended by 1,220 metres on 27-end to meet the total requirement of 3,000 metres for operation of B737-400/ AB A-320 aircraft. The runway strip will be extended by 75 metres on to take the strip's overall width to 300 metres. A new terminal building of 3,000 sq mt is to be constructed at the location proposed in the master plan.
The area is earmarked for development of a cargo terminal, maintenance hangar and pilot training institute. The obstacle limitation surfaces will be maintained as applicable.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
