A team consisting of three members from the Central headquarters of the AAI in New Delhi was present in Puducherry for a duration of one week, from May 6 to May 13, to carry out the survey.
As an initial phase of the airport expansion initiative, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has successfully conducted the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey to pinpoint potential obstructions within the airspace of Puducherry airport prior to commencing the construction of a new runway.
Following the cancellation of the plan to extend the current runway, the AAI, in collaboration with the territorial administration, has reached an agreement on a new alignment for the runway. This new plan involves the removal of the existing 1,502-metre runway and the establishment of a new flight strip measuring 2,300 metres, designed to accommodate Airbus 320 type aircraft operating from Puducherry.
A three-member team from the Central headquarters of the AAI in New Delhi was present in Puducherry for a week, starting from May 6, to carry out the OLS survey utilizing advanced technology, including DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System), a specialized device used for satellite-assisted land mapping.
“The team was in Puducherry from May 6 to 13, engaged in comprehensive mapping of the airspace. The initial evaluation indicates that the approach paths and sides of the proposed runway are devoid of obstacles, such as mobile towers, high-tension power lines, and tall buildings. The team will now create an OLS chart and submit the proposal to the Planning and Airport Operation directorates of the AAI for approval,” a source within the AAI informed The Hindu.
The proposed runway is set to extend towards a location near the toll gate at Moratandi along the Tindivanam-Puducherry highway. This new alignment, which represents a 20-degree shift from the existing runway, will require 402 acres of land, with the majority of the necessary land situated on the Tamil Nadu side. For the construction of the new runway—2,300 metres in length and 45 metres in width—the AAI will require 217 acres in the Tamil Nadu region and 185 acres on the Puducherry side, as stated by an official.
“The acquisition of land poses the most significant challenge, as we require approximately ₹1,500 crore to cover the acquisition expenses in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. We have reached out to the Centre for funding and have also begun discussions with Tamil Nadu at the administrative level regarding land acquisition. Although there are fewer residential areas in locations where land acquisition is essential, rehabilitation of government assets will be necessary. The relocation of certain civic facilities will also present a considerable challenge. Currently, we are still in the very early stages concerning the land acquisition aspect of the airport expansion project,” the official stated.