(This was originally posted On Times Of India by Newton Sequeira)
The lone runway at Goa International Airport will remain shut at night for the next four months as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to modernize the aerodrome infrastructure. INS Hansa is the first airbase to be taken up for modernization as part of the MoD’s Phase-II of the Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) project.
“As part of ongoing modernization of infrastructure at Goa International Airport being undertaken by INS Hansa, the runway will remain closed for all traffic from 10pm to 6:30 am daily till September 8,” said the Indian Navy in a statement.
The multi-crore project will include installation and commissioning of modern airfield equipment like Cat-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Cat II Air Field Lightning System (AFLS). The modern equipment around the runway would be directly connected to the Air Traffic Control (ATC), thereby providing excellent control of the airfield systems to the air traffic controllers.
“The up-gradation of navigational aids and infrastructure under the MAFI project would enhance the operational capability by facilitating air operations of military and civil aircraft even in poor visibility conditions and adverse weather,” a source said.
The MAFI Phase-I included the upgrade of 30 airfields of the IAF and has been of immense benefit to both military and civil users. MoD signed a Rs 1200 cr deal with Tata Power SED under which 37 airfields across the country will be modernized.
