Dibrugarh airport merges existing runway with newly-constructed extension

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The much desired work of completing the extension of runway at Dibrugarh Airport, by merging the existing runway with newly constructed 363 meter portion, thereby taking the total extension to 460 meters, has started on Friday.

To begin the work while meeting the safety norms of civil aviation requirements, at first RESA (Runway Strip & Runway End Safety Area) of 90 meters length and longitudinal runway strip of 60 meters were provided by reducing the declared lengths of runway by 150 meters.

“This resulted into shifting of threshold by 150 meters. This changeover was done in the intervening night of March 2 and March 3 and accordingly after the changeover, merging part excavation was started. While visual landing aids (Runway markings, PAPI - Precision Approach Path Indicators, Threshold Lights, Runway Edge Lights and End Lights) have been re-aligned as per new threshold position, the Instrument Landing System will not be available for the duration of merging work,” said an official of AAI.

The changes in characteristics and restrictions accordingly have been published through appropriate NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) in advance for intimation to all operators.

While the NOTAMs have been issued for a period of three months till June 3 2023, the Airport Authority is expecting that with advance preparation it has and with weather helping, the merging project will be completed by April 30, 2023. With the completion of the project, the length of the runway of Dibrugarh Airport will increase from the current 1,830 meters to 2,290 meters.

Airport officials said that the project will enhance the safety of aircraft operation, lessen the load penalty to the aircraft apart from reducing the minima to operate in low visibility with CAT-I lighting system. Currently, the construction work of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower is also going on at the airport.