Soon, int’l airport to have CAT-III facilities

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 11

More than three months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court was told that in-principle approval for installation of the CAT-III facilities at the Chandigarh international airport to enable landing during poor visibility, formal approval has been received from all stakeholders.

Assistant Solicitor-General of India Chetan Mittal said it would soon be installed. Mittal also asserted that Punjab had agreed to acquire 0.6 acres for the shifting of a wall, which would be reconstructed by the Airport Authority of India.

Appearing before the Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli, Mittal said there were some issues required to be brought to the notice of the court, including the coming up of butchery in the vicinity of the airfield which could cause bird-hit.

Mittal also told the Bench that heavy construction in the vicinity had also led to the apprehension of flooding of the airfield during heavy rains. Besides, increase in the height of buildings due to unauthorised construction was continuing.

He added that a meeting was held with the Punjab Government, but the issues were yet to be resolved.

The matter had reached the High Court after the Mohali Industries Association had filed a petition in public interest, seeking directions to the Union of India to submit a status report on re-carpeting and upgrading of the runway.