SURAT - Under the direction of the new Surat Airport Director, Rupesh Kumar Lohani, the Aerodrome Department has initiated a survey to address buildings interfering with the take-off and landing of aircrafts. Over the past four months, 14 high-rise buildings have received notices. The airport authorities have also started collecting information regarding the removal of antennas and extra construction from these buildings.
The growth of Surat airport was obstructed by the unregulated construction of high-rise buildings in the Vesu area. These constructions, initiated without the necessary permissions from the airport authority and allegedly in collusion with builders and local authorities, have resulted in the airport currently operating on only 2250 meters of the total 2800-meter runway, leaving 650 meters unused.
From 2006 to 2014, the airport authority failed to conduct necessary obstruction surveys, leading to the emergence of these problematic buildings. This issue is currently under consideration by the Gujarat High Court.
Following the Aerodrome Department survey of the Vesu area, notices have been issued to approximately 14 buildings. Owners have been instructed to remove any structures exceeding one meter in height from these buildings, including antennas and solar plant systems. The builders have shown cooperation with the airport authorities, removing extra construction or antennas as per the notices.
This initiative underlines the commitment of the Surat Airport Authority to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations, despite the long-standing infrastructural challenges faced by the airport.
