Further, wires and cables required to be laid for it will pass through the public area which may get disturbed due to any external work or mischief, thereby causing chaos in the air traffic system.
While the huge Air Traffic Control (ATC) Complex near Sahar cargo area in Andheri East is proposed to be shifted from its current location next to the airport operational area to near Leela hotel, AAI insiders claim that the move will delay repair and maintenance work in case of any emergency inside the air-side operations area of the airport.
Further, wires and cables required to be laid for it will pass through the public area which may get disturbed due to any external work or mischief, thereby causing chaos in the air traffic system.
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the operator of the airport, wants to exploit the area where the ATC complex is presently located for some other operational or commercial interests. The present complex, which is a ground-plus-four structure, covers 11,465 square meters of area. MIAL has allotted five acres of land adjacent to Leela Hotel towards the city side of the newly constructed Integrated Terminal Building T-2. The proposed complex will have higher number of floors as per the permissible limits, including scope for two additional construction in future in case of requirement. The building is planned to look aesthetically pleasing with exterior and interior design and parking space.
The layout draft of the proposed ATC complex has already been prepared with the project expected to get completed within the next three years.
"At present, whenever there is any problem, it gets sorted out quickly as there is a gate from within the ATC complex which leads us to the operational area of the airport. Our personnel can go there within no time," said a senior official from Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) department of the AAI. CNS department is responsible for providing and maintenance of air traffic control infrastructure, which is used for air traffic navigation.
"Now it will take some time to reach; which may cause some delays in rectification in case of emergency," he added.
Another important point that is being raised among AAI authorities is that, since the proposed complex will be about a kilometre away, it will pass underneath the public space, which may pose some risk in case of external factors like digging by civic department or an anti-social element.
A MIAL source on the other hand claimed that the proposed ATC complex will be as safe as the present one since all steps will be taken to ensure that maintenance and repair personal reached the operational area within no time. Also, all safety aspects of the cables and other equipment would be taken care of, the source added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Leela Hotel")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}