A recent safety assessment done at Juhu airport has found that the proposed terminal building, as per the blueprint of the secondary runway extension plan, may jeopardise smooth operation of the secondary runway. As a result of this, extension aside, now there is talk of either the runway being reduced in length or shut altogether.
Airport authorities had planned to develop the airport and extend the runway up to Juhu beach.
How has the new runway plan been received?
Helicopter operators are against it and have urged the airport management to instead shift the proposed terminal building in such a way that runway operation is not hampered.
Why is the proposed terminal a problem?
"The safety assessment revealed that the location shown of the proposed building is very close to the secondary runway (16-34) on the 34 end. Hence, we have no option but to close the runway," said an airport official.
What is the airport management's solution?
Officials explained that by cutting short the runway by 200 metres from its 34 end may resolve the issue as the runway's balance length of 532 metres will still be available for landing and take-off of helicopters.
So then why are the operators against it?
"Operators have said that the entire existing runway is needed for safe landing and take-off, particularly when Mumbai airport's main runway (09-27) is closed for work," the airport official said.
Could there be another reason behind runway reduction/closure proposal?
The proposal to close down Juhu airport's secondary runway has been in the middle of controversy for the past few years after it was alleged that certain sections within Airports Authority of India (AAI) are pushing for it to favor the builder community, who want to construct high-rises around the airport.
Previous controversy involving the runway
AAI had earlier proposed the runway's closure or reduction in its length because of the danger posed by the protruding minaret from a nearby mosque, which has illegally come up next to the airport. Juhu airport as well as Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport have already complained to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regarding it, but in vain.
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