The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to use the aerodrome in Juhu, Mumbai to reduce the load from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport, according to a DNA report by Nikhil S Dixit. “Experts are looking into the possibility of developing the aerodrome to handle a smaller aircraft,” said, Ajit Singh, Minister of Civil Aviation,
Government of India. Singh, who was in Mumbai earlier this week, conducted an aerial survey of the airport and the Juhu aerodrome to review the renovation and development of the international airport, along with Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Singh said that the Maharashtra government had formed a special task force, headed by the Chief Secretary, to expedite the work as well as study how to clear the slums around the airport area. Since the rehabilitation of slum dwellers is still pending, the renovation work is happening in fits and starts. Unsure of when the work would get over, authorities, along with the Aviation Ministry, have started looking for alternatives — the Juhu aerodrome being one. Singh said the task force, comprising representatives from the state, the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Airports Authority of India and the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd, is expected to give its report on the Juhu aerodrome in three months. The aerodrome can be used as a secondary airport because of its proximity to the main airport, he said. “If the aerodrome starts functioning, it would decongest the main airport. Small aircrafts and private planes that use the airport can use the aerodrome at Juhu. And then the main airport can concentrate on international and other domestic flights.” A Civil Aviation Ministry official said, “The aerodrome, spread over 400 acres, is almost lying unused except for some stray helicopters that operate from it. A private firm had carried out a study in 2010 to find out if using the aerodrome would be feasible. The firm had said in its report that extending the airstrip by 900 metres would be enough for small aircraft to use it. But, no action has been taken on the report to date.” he said. At present, the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport handles 36 aircrafts per hour and this number is expected to increase to 48 once the redevelopment work is complete.
Click here to see the original article>Government of India. Singh, who was in Mumbai earlier this week, conducted an aerial survey of the airport and the Juhu aerodrome to review the renovation and development of the international airport, along with Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Singh said that the Maharashtra government had formed a special task force, headed by the Chief Secretary, to expedite the work as well as study how to clear the slums around the airport area. Since the rehabilitation of slum dwellers is still pending, the renovation work is happening in fits and starts. Unsure of when the work would get over, authorities, along with the Aviation Ministry, have started looking for alternatives — the Juhu aerodrome being one. Singh said the task force, comprising representatives from the state, the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Airports Authority of India and the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd, is expected to give its report on the Juhu aerodrome in three months. The aerodrome can be used as a secondary airport because of its proximity to the main airport, he said. “If the aerodrome starts functioning, it would decongest the main airport. Small aircrafts and private planes that use the airport can use the aerodrome at Juhu. And then the main airport can concentrate on international and other domestic flights.” A Civil Aviation Ministry official said, “The aerodrome, spread over 400 acres, is almost lying unused except for some stray helicopters that operate from it. A private firm had carried out a study in 2010 to find out if using the aerodrome would be feasible. The firm had said in its report that extending the airstrip by 900 metres would be enough for small aircraft to use it. But, no action has been taken on the report to date.” he said. At present, the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport handles 36 aircrafts per hour and this number is expected to increase to 48 once the redevelopment work is complete.