Work begins on runway at Devanahalli

Work begins on runway at Devanahalli

The Hindu

Marking the length of runway completed, land being levelled

# Airport City with accommodation for non-aviation activities to come up
# Flyover and an underpass are to come up about 3 km from the airport
# Airport will handle 40 lakh passengers annually

BANGALORE: With the July 2008 deadline in the mind of the promoters, work has begun on the runway for the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, 35 km from here. The main runway will be about four km long to support big aircraft.

The marking the length of the runway has been completed and the land is being levelled, according to officials of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). The single runway in the first phase of the airport project will be built for all aircraft, including the Airbus A-380.

There was some hitch over a road, which runs almost across the planned runway, and the local villagers had to be convinced by the revenue department authorities to use another route. Barricades have now come up across the road, restricting movement. Pre-cast concrete slabs are being assembled to build the compound wall; all material are tested at a quality lab at the airport site.

In the second phase, a second terminal building and another runway is to be constructed with a taxiway for aircraft landing and taking off. This will be a copy of the first terminal. Close to it will come up an Airport City with accommodation for non-aviation activities. These will include fully equipped business centres, restaurants, hotel rooms and related businesses. BIAL hopes these facilities will generate additional revenue and help to reduce user tariffs. The facilities will also match those found in airports abroad.

BIAL is apparently not worried about the distance to the new airport compared with the HAL airport. Most international airports in Europe are located 45 km to 60 km from city centres and cater to large numbers of passengers each day, they point out. While the railways have plans for a fast shuttle service between the Bangalore Cantonment station and the airport terminal at Devanahalli, the details are yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the national highway is being widened and a flyover and an underpass are to come up about 3 km from the airport to allow vehicles to turn to the terminal and others to proceed towards Hyderabad or return to Bangalore.

Once the rainy season ends, work at the international airport site is expected to pick up. The airport coming up on 1700 hectares of land will be equipped to handle 40 lakh passengers annually, including 10 lakh international travellers and transport about 130,000 tonnes of cargo.