Advanced navigational infra for Keshod Airport planned after runway is extended to 2,500 meters

 Minister of Civil Aviation reply to RS MP Parimal Nathwani query on flights getting cancelled regularly due to weather-related issues

Ahmedabad: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to install advanced navigational infrastructure at Keshod Airport once the extension of runway to 2,500 meters is completed. As per the Master Plan and Scope of the Work, installation of Instrument Landing System (ILS), provision of CAT – I Approach Lightening System and DVOR has been considered for Keshod Airport. The information was provided by Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to Rajya Sabha Member Shri Parimal Nathwani.

The minister also stated that the ministry has already issued the Scope of Work for extension of runway to 2,500 meters at Keshod Airport and work has been awarded. For installation of ILS the runway length should be more than 1800 meters and Keshod Airport’s existing runway length is 1300 meters.

Shri Parimal Nathwani had written a letter to the Minister of Civil Aviation drawing his attention on issue of flights getting regularly cancelled at Keshod Airport.

In his letter, Shri Parimal Nathwani had raised the issue of frequent cancellation of flights due to weather-related issues, especially low morning fog and inadequate navigational infrastructure including Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Keshod Airport. Frequent cancellation of flights have been disruptive, defeating the purpose of regional route development. Though the airport was revived for better access to Gir National Park – a key tourist site – and Somnath, one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, frequent disruptions have hindered  Keshod Airport’s operations, Shri Nathwani had written in his letter.

Earlier, in a reply to a question raised by Shri Parimal Nathwani in Rajya Sabha, it was informed that the runway extension project cost is estimated to be Rs. 190.56 crore and the timeline for the completion of the project has been set at 18 months and projected date of completion is January 2027.

It should be noted that the Airport Authority of India has also already undertaken the development of Keshod Airport at an estimated total cost of Rs. 364 crore, which includes construction of a new terminal building at a cost of Rs. 142.17 crore. The new terminal building spanning 6,500 square meters, is designed to handle a peak hour capacity of 400 departing and 400 arriving passengers simultaneously.