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Parking bays construction in airport hit hard
Construction of nine parking bays at the Vijayawada Airport aimed at increasing flight operations is likely to be delayed due to slow progress of the works. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the district administration had decided to complete the parking bays apron works by August to meet the huge rush of passengers expected during Krishna Pushkaralu.
​Vijayawada: Construction of nine parking bays at the Vijayawada Airport aimed at increasing flight operations is likely to be delayed due to slow progress of the works. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the district administration had decided to complete the parking bays apron works by August to meet the huge rush of passengers expected during Krishna Pushkaralu.
If these works are not completed by August, the flight operators can’t introduce more flights due to lack of parking bays. The Vijayawada airport has only six parking bases and so far, only 23 sectors are being operated for arrival and departure at the airport. As per the growing passenger traffic in Vijayawada airport needs at least 15 parking bases. So, the officials started works to add nine more parking bays to the existing six bays
- Due to slow progress of works, nine parking bays may not be ready for Krishna Pushkaralu
- AAI wanted to accommodate more flights to manage increasing air traffic but it will take more time
Passenger traffic increased to three lakh by the end of 2015 with increase of 48 per cent compared to previous year. Passenger rush will definitely increase during the Krishna Pushkaralu to be held in August 2016. Keeping in view of huge rush and demand for the flights during the Pushkaralu, the district administration and AAI had decided to complete the works by August 2016.
Construction of parking bays is a very lengthy process. Four layers with cement and concrete mix had to be laid for the parking bays. The height of the apron from the basement is about meter and the works will be completed in a phased manner as layers will be laid one after one. Since flights are very heavy with huge engines, the parking bases must be constructed very strong with cement apron.
A senior officer monitoring the apron works said tyres are very important for the flights and utmost care is taken in construction of the parking bases and aprons in the airports to check damage to the tyres. With a view to maintain the standards and quality, the works are going at the slow pace, said the official.
Construction of nine parking bases started in Vijayawada airport in October 2015 with estimated cost of Rs.20 crore. The works are likely to be completed by the end of 2016. Till then, there is very less scope to increase the flight operations from the Vijayawada airport. .
The AAI will give permission to flight operators to start more services after six months only. Passenger traffic is increasing gradually at the airport as a large number of delegates from different countries and States are coming to meet Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. A large number of people from Kishna, Guntur, West Godavari and Prakasam districts are settled in other countries.
The airport is witnessing traffic with regular passengers hailing from this region. These passengers are depending on the limited available services. Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation executive director P Bhaskara Rao said a large number of entrepreneurs, businessmen, students and tourists are eagerly waiting for the completion of parking bays apron works at the airport so that flight operations will increase immediately.
By:Md Ameen
