Upgrading Tulihal airport : Mobile towers, ISKCON temple pose hazards
High rise structures restrict landing, take off direction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2012: Even as the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has started development work of Tulihal Airport in phases following Prime Minister Dr Manmohan's declaration to upgrade the airport to the level of an international airport, mobile towers and the nearby ISKCON temple have been hampering the same work.

A high-ranking official of the AAI informed The Sangai Express that aircrafts can land on the airport's runway from only one direction.

At present, it is not feasible for aircrafts to land on the runway from the opposite direction.

On the northern side of the runway which runs North-South many mobile towers have been erected.

Moreover, there is the ISKCON temple.

These high-rise structures have become serious impediments to landing as well as take-off from the northern direction.

This would cause more difficulties in case international flights must land at Tulihal Airport, said the official and added that the airport may face situation where no aircrafts can land on its runway.

Informing that the State Government has been asked to remove the mobile towers with the same matter already discussed in several rounds of meeting, the official conveyed that the AAI has put up a proposal for joint inspection.

Mobile towers seen afar from the runway posing hazards

Notably, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has been insisting upon New Delhi to upgrade Tulihal Airport to international standard and make it a connecting hub to South East Asian countries.

The AAI also informed the State Government that the showroom for Honda Motorcycle and Scooter Industries which was opened on the northern side of the airport would disturb functioning of the localiser which is crucial during landing phase of aircrafts.

However, the prior information ran into deaf ears as the showroom reportedly belongs to a close relative of a top-ranking official of the State Government.

As for the compound fencing work around the newly expanded boundary, it is already complete by around 40 per cent.

A new terminal which can accommodate 500 passengers at one time would be completed by December this year.

The airport has already undergone remarkable changes after the seating capacities of the departure lounge and security lounge have been enhanced.

At present, around 1500 passengers land at and leave Tulihal Airport everyday on the average.

Installation of latest equipment for air traffic control has been initiated.

Runway and safety areas have been developed at both ends of the runway.

Moreover, four flood lights have been installed to facilitate landing of aircrafts at night.

Articles such as mobile phones, bags, purses, spectacles etc which were left behind by passengers are being kept in the airport.

Owners may claim their articles from Air Traffic Manager of the airport.

For emergency purposes, an MI room has been opened at the airport after the State Government posted two doctors at the airport.

Further, a child care centre has also been opened, added the official.