Mattanur: The Kannur International Airport Limited has a tough task on hand with a lot of work to be completed to meet the deadline for the launch of the airport by September. And that, too, with a monsoon coming in between.
“Works are rapidly progressing to meet the deadline,” said K.S Shibu Kumar, KIAL Project Engineer (Civil). According to MD, V. Thulasidas, works inside the terminal can go smoothly even during the monsoon. “The completion of the safety area at the end of the runway before the commencement of monsoon is important," he said. A 240 metre safety area is required on both ends of the runway. Only 170 metre has been completed as of now. For the rest, soil should be filled up from the ground level to the elevated platform of the runway. This soil needs only certain amount of moisture and rain would probably dampen the work. Besides, the showers would slow down most o the works.
The other pending works are getting DGCA clearance, arranging security by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and setting up of emigration facilities. CISF officials have to visit more than once for the inspection and provide suggestions, if any, and to come again to see the rectifications made. This could further delay the project. The works on the runway and airside had commenced in November 2013 and are expected to be completed by May.
It is estimated that 65 per cent of the work on the terminal building which commenced in July 2014. Three aerobridges have reached the site which will be fixed soon. Asphaltation of roads to the airport is not complete and the filling of top layered soil for the landscape purpose has just started.
