Runway repairs set for May completion

Work on part of a parallel taxiway towards the end of the runway will also be completed by May. “It is near the current ATC tower and will provide for the loop that will make entry to and exit from 14/32 faster,” said the spokesperson.

Pilots have often referred to Mumbai’s runways as a bumpy ride. “They complain of undulations on the surface and even the slope of 14/32 was never uniform. It is very bad for landing,” said an airport official.

The re-surfacing project is unique in that is very labour-intensive but has not hindered flight movements even once at an airport that executes over 650 flight movements daily. “A total of 546 workers,182 engineers and supervisors and 16 safety officials work every night from 8 pm to 5:30 am,” said the spokesperson.

14/32 is used for parallel operations between 5:30 and 8 am and between 3:30 and 7:30 pm. “At 5:30 am,the first flight departs from 14/32,” said an airport official.

Re-surfacing of the main runway,09/27,is on MIAL’s agenda but the date has not been finalised. “We may begin either late this year or early next year,” said the spokesperson.