Threat To Bhubaneswar Airport! Proposed Runway Re-carpeting Work Delayed

Bhubaneswar: There seems to be a threat to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar as its runway is not in proper shape owing to the delay in execution of the re-carpeting work.

Though the authorities of the airport had planned to carry out the much-awaited re-carpeting work of the runway in 2019, it could not be executed due to restrictions clamped following the outbreak of Covid-19.

It is pertinent to mention here that a plant was also set up for carrying out the re-carpeting work of the runway. Due to the prolonged delay, the concerned contractor is not willing to undertake the project. Hence, the airport authorities are contemplating to go for the retendering of the re-carpeting project.

“The work was scheduled to begin last year but due to COVID-19, the contract could not be carried out. The contractor is not interested to carry out the work. We are going to issue fresh tender and it will take four to five months to materialise the tender,” said airport director VV Rao.

He further said once the tender is finalised, the contractor will set up a plant and we hope that entire process will be completed in the next six to seven months.

Re-carpeting is important as it ensures that the runway is in top condition to receive the aircraft. The process involves examining the runway for a variety of issues including whether the aircraft is having a smooth landing.

Many experts and pilots say that if the re-carpeting work is not taken up for long, it may create problems as airlines might stop operating from Bhubaneswar airport.

“From safety point of view, re-carpeting work is most essential. The friction on the runway has increased due to rise in the frequency of fight operations at the airport here,” said Pilot Rajnarayan Mohapatra.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)