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"The new Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
(ADS-B) system would facilitate civilian aircraft
in self-communicating with airports about their
identity, speed and altitude," AAI director
Sudhamay Maiti told IANS.
"The new system is likely to be commissioned
in six to seven of a total of 14 airports across
India by the middle of this year and in the remaining
airports by this year-end," he added.
According to the official, unlike the existing
radar-based ground-to-air surveillance system
on airports, the comparatively cheaper ADS-B system
has three components -- an ADS-B transponder in
the aircraft, an antenna to get frequency from
the aircraft transponder and a receiver at the
Air Traffic Control (ATC).
"The new technology enables ATCs at airports
to get complete situational awareness of ADS-B
compatible aircraft, which could even be 300 miles
away," Maiti said.
The ADS-B system would cover much wider areas
than the present surveillance system.
"The existing air surveillance system has
certain limitations when it comes to airspace
management," Maiti said, adding that safety
aspects would also get a major boost once the
new system is introduced.
The AAI official said that during the past few
years, air traffic has increased in most of the
airports in India with more domestic and foreign
flights using Indian airspace and airports.
"Voice communication between the flights
and the ATCs would be more easy and transparent
with the new ADS-B system," Maiti added.
The administrative as well as technical process
has already started to install the new system
at 14 airports: Agartala, Imphal, Shimla, Jaipur,
Bhopal, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Amritsar,
Varanasi, Port Blair, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Calicut.
The AAI official said that around Rs.4 crore
would be spent at each of the airports to install
the new system.
Meanwhile, the AAI has begun preliminary work
to upgrade Agartala airport to an international
airport to boost the northeastern region's connectivity
with Southeast Asian countries.
"AAI has taken up an ambitious Rs.80 crore
project to gradually develop Agartala airport
to international standards. Also, a modern Air
Traffic Control tower is being set up at a cost
of Rs.10 crore," said another AAI official.
On an average, 32-33 aircraft operate every day
through Agartala airport, connecting Delhi, Kolkata,
Guwahati, Imphal, Silchar and the southern states.
"The decision to upgrade the Agartala airport
was taken as part of the India's 'Look East' policy,"
the official added.
"As part of the plan, the terminal building,
ATC tower, runway and other necessary infrastructure
would be expanded and further strengthened,"
he told IANS.
A Tripura government official said the AAI has
sought 200 acres of land to build additional infrastructure.
"However, there is scarcity of land in the
existing airport area," he said.
(IANS)
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