Gaya: As the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is set to receive 18.24 acres of land in the next couple of weeks, the process for the installation of the CAT approach lighting system has gathered momentum at Gaya airport. This system provides visual guidance to pilots during low-visibility conditions, enabling safe landings when visibility is poor.
Details of the CAT Approach Lighting System
The CAT approach lighting system consists of a row of lights extending 900 metres from the runway threshold. It features single lights in the inner 300 metres, two lights in the central 300 metres, and three lights in the outer 300 metres. This configuration ensures pilots receive clear visual cues during approach and landing in adverse weather.
Land Acquisition Progress
According to district land acquisition officer Ravindra Ram, the land acquisition process is almost complete, and the land will be transferred to the AAI very soon. Earlier on Wednesday, DM Shashank Shubhankar inspected the land proposed to be transferred to the AAI. Awadhesh Kumar, officiating director of Gaya International Airport, stated that the work would start soon after the transfer of land is executed.
Importance for Tourism and Airlines
The project is very important for the Bodh Gaya-based hospitality sector as most of the air traffic at Gaya airport takes place in the winter months (December-January) due to heavy footfall of foreign tourists. Air traffic becomes heavier during rituals and prayers conducted by His Holiness Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual leader of Buddhists. Operators such as Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia, Drukair, Bhutan Airlines, and Myanmar Airlines operate regular flights between Gaya and Bangkok, Paro, and Yangon in the winter months. Besides scheduled flights, operators also arrange chartered services from several countries, including South Korea.
Addressing Visibility Issues
According to domain experts, visibility issues frequently arise during December-January, leading to flight delays and related problems. There have been incidents when passengers created a ruckus over delays. The installation of the CAT lighting system may help address issues related to landing and take-off during low-visibility hours, thus improving operational reliability and passenger satisfaction.
Runway Expansion Challenges
Runway expansion remains another major issue hampering the growth of Gaya International Airport. At present, the runway is 2,286 metres long and 45 metres wide. It needs to be at least 500 metres longer to accommodate wide-body aircraft, while the width requires an increase of at least 15 metres. Airlines across the world are gradually phasing out narrow-body planes. More than 100 acres of land is required for the expansion. Asked about land acquisition for runway expansion, the district land acquisition officer said litigation has delayed the process. He was not in a position to give any timeframe on the issue, said Ravindra Ram.
