Murlidhar Mohol to Meet Rajnath Singh to Discuss Pune Airport Runway Extension
Pune Airport: Government Approves OLS Survey, Paves Way for Runway Expansion
21 June 2024
Pune’s airport runway is set for a significant extension, enabling larger aircraft to take off and land, thereby opening the city to direct flights to destinations in America and Europe, according to Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of state for civil aviation and cooperation.
The Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey, crucial for the runway’s extension, is expected to be conducted soon for Pune Airport. Mohol is scheduled to meet Rajnath Singh. Defence Minister on Monday to discuss this project.
Recently, the state government approved a proposal to increase the runway’s length and width. Currently, the runway measures 2,535 meters (8,316 feet) in length and 45 meters in width. The extension will add 500 meters to the east and 300 meters to the current runway, resulting in a total length of approximately 11,000 feet. This expansion will accommodate larger aircraft, enhancing the airport’s capacity. The land acquisition for this project is estimated to cost around ₹160 crores.
An Air India aircraft has been stranded at the airport’s “Parking Bay No. 1” for the past month, causing flight delays. Mohol plans to discuss this issue and request that the aircraft be moved to the air force area.
Commenting on the runway extension, Mohol stated, “Pune airport’s runway will be extended, allowing larger aircraft to take off and land, and enabling flights from the city to countries like America and those in Europe.”
An Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey is essential to ensure safe take-off and landing. This preliminary survey is conducted during runway extension or construction to identify potential obstacles such as buildings, hills, and tall trees. If no obstacles are found, the flight operations can proceed safely.
