New air traffic control tower to come up at Kolkata airport

KOLKATA: A new air traffic control tower would come up at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here which will help in easing traffic flow.

The new ATC tower would be set up with a cost of Rs 326 crore, Airport Advisory Committee chairman Saugata Roy said after a meeting of the panel.

Personnel with the help of various equipment control and monitor air traffic from an ATC tower and a new tower would help in managing the traffic in a better way.

The airport which had faced criticism for water-logging and breaking of glass panels after its facelift in January 2013, has bagged an international award this year.

The NSCBI Airport got the 'Best improved airport in Asia-Pacific region' from the Airport Council International in April, Roy, also an MP, told at a press conference.

Plan is also afoot to install a solid waste compactor station to keep the surroundings of the airport garbage free, Roy said, adding, "This could be done quickly if we get funds from the central government."

The AAI-run airport which is used by around 1.09 crore passengers a year has an operating surplus of Rs 326 crore, he said.

"Presently pre-paid taxis from the airport could go up to a maximum of 38 km and we are talking to the state's transport department to remove the ceiling," Roy said.

Airport Director Anil Kumar Sharma said the talks were on with three-four airlines to connect the airport with European cities.