The Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is gradually heading towards becoming a ‘green airport’ with a host of energy saving and environment conservation moves being undertaken by the authorities.
The latest in such a drive is the Airports Authority of India (AAI) deciding to replace all the high power sodium light fittings on the poles in the perimeter of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur with lED light fittings.
The cost of the project is Rs 37.27 lakhs, officials stated.
The AAI is also replacing the existing halogen type runway and taxi-way light fittings with lED fittings at the Airport. The total cost of the project is Rs 39,93,600 , officials informed.
On the environment conservation front, the AAI had directed that the slips generated by machines in the baggage wrapping area must be recyclable.
The AAI is also installing heavy duty Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) equipment for its runway lighting system at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur a cost of Rs 54.61 lakhs.
On the infrastructure development front, construction of new localiser and glide path buildings had been planned at the airport, officials stated.
The runway of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur may also be extended by another 11,000 feet for facilitating international operations.
The AAI had already proposed substantial extension of the runway alongwith expansion of the Apron at the Airport, they stated.
There had already been a demand from various operators to extend the runway by another 900 ft first and subsequently to 11000 ft.
The expansion of the Apron would facilitate parking of atleast three additional aircraft, officials stated.
It may be recalled that the Chhattisgarh Government has provisioned `50 crore in its State Budget 2015-16 for extension of the runway of the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur to bring it at par with international standards.
The Government is trying hard to get air connectivity for all its key cities besides getting international flights operated from Raipur at the earliest, officials stated.
The Central Government already in its bid to develop 50 airports in the country has already included the industrial cities of Bilaspur and Raigarh in its plans for expanding aviation services in Chhattisgarh, they stated.
Significantly, on July 24, 2013, the State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airports Authority of India to establish an airport at Raigarh.
During the last 15 years, civil aviation services in the State have skyrocketed. Earlier, there were hardly any flight landing in Raipur, but as the city began to develop as capital of the State and the economic-administrative activities expedited over here, several giant stakeholders in the industry began to take interest in the State.
Setting up of new industries, power houses, and increase in demand of airways for people to visit different cities of the country for business-commerce and administrative purposes, the number of flights landing in Swami Vivekanada Airport Raipur is also increased. In year 2013-14, nearly 8.39 lakh have taken up their journey from this airport.
Along with Raipur Airport, Chief Minister Raman Singh is making strenuous efforts to start air services from cities like Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, and Raigarh as well, officials stated.
The New terminal of Raipur Airport was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on November 7, 2012.
The State Government has allotted 400 acres of land to AAI for expansion of Raipur Airport.
Bilaspur is a hub of not only industrial activity but also education and commercial activities. The NTPC, SECl, Railway Zone and Central University along with two other state universities are located in Bilaspur, officials stated.
Chief Minister Raman Singh had met Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajpati Raju on July 15, 2014 and requested him to start international flights from Raipur and also to set up airports in Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur, officials stated.
He had told the Union Minister that several big industrial plants are located in Chhattisgarh and the service sector is also flourishing in the State. Owing to the fact, the demand of air services in Raipur has increased significantly during the last five years.
To commence international flights from Raipur, development of required facilities is in pipeline.
Resolution for starting regular aviation services from Bilaspur and international flights from Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur had also been passed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly.
The Chhattisgarh Aviation Department has sanctioned `1.36 crore to AAI to provide night landing facility on the Jagdalpur airstrip.