In a significant development, the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Pramod Kumar Thakur, conducted a thorough review of Bokaro Airport’s progress on Saturday. This assessment comes on the heels of the recent announcement that air services are slated to commence from Bokaro Airport after February 2024.
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Crucial Inspection Ahead of DGCA Visit:
DDG Thakur’s inspection holds importance as it precedes the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) visit, marking a pivotal moment in the airport’s journey toward operational status. During the review, Thakur not only physically examined the airport but also engaged in discussions with local authorities.
Key Officials Present:
Accompanying DDG Thakur were Ashok Biswas, Joint General Manager of AAI Engineering and Safety, Kolkata, Laxmi Das, Chief General Manager (CGM) and Accountable Manager, Aviation, Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), and Anil Kashyap, former Ranchi Airport director.
Ministry’s Expectations and Licensing Process:
While DDG Thakur refrained from providing comments to the media, CGM of BSL, Laxmi Das conveyed, “Ministry officials have reviewed the airport’s progress. Hopefully, by the last week of February, as mentioned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, commercial flight services will commence. We have applied for a license, pending the final inspection by DGCA.”
Upcoming Visit by Union Civil Aviation Minister:
Highlighting the significance of these developments, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is expected to visit Bokaro soon. The airport, initially scheduled to be operational in 2020, has faced a four-year delay.
Status Update – Completed Works:
Several crucial milestones have been achieved in the completion of Bokaro Airport. These include the conclusion of all necessary civil works, completion of the runway survey (including Obstacle Limitation Survey), completion of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) airport security survey, successful testing of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and communication resources, installation and inspection of runway lights (Papi Lights), and the establishment of firefighting equipment and staff.
Status Update – Pending Tasks:
However, certain tasks remain pending, including the posting of security personnel, removal of meat shops within the vicinity, untouched illegal hutments adjacent to the airport’s boundary wall, and arrangements by the health department for an ambulance and a team of doctors.
In anticipation of the final regulatory approvals and pending tasks, Bokaro Airport is gearing up for a transformative leap into operational status, connecting the region to the skies.
