Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (DABH) International Airport, the only airport in the State that has international flights, has a new eight-storied state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. The new ATC boasts advanced communication, navigation and surveillance systems expected to cater to the needs for the next 20 to 25 years.
A three-day ‘shadow operation’ from the new ATC tower will start on December 2. With the number of flights increasing over the years, the need for a new ATC was felt as the existing one was built in 1999. ‘The new ATC building is now ready. It was built at the cost of Rs 85 cr in 20 months and is located just opposite the existing ATC. The tower cabin is 27.870 metres above the ground level. Advanced equipment has been installed and necessary permissions from the regulators have been obtained.
During the three-day ‘Shadow Operation’ the actual operation will be conducted from existing ATC and monitoring will be done from the new one. ‘Shadow operation’ is a process of shifting operations from one air traffic control (ATC) tower to another in phases. From December 5 ‘Parallel Operation’ will begin, which will run till December 17. Thereafter, a date for the formal inauguration of the new ATC will be fixed’ official sources informed this correspondent. A staff of 22 persons will man the new ATC, and they will be working in 5 shifts. Familiarisation and training programme of the staff has been completed.
New ATC: Equipped with advanced CNS system
The new ATC is equipped with next-generation communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems. Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) is installed there. It is a surveillance technique in which aircraft automatically provide, via a data link, data derived from on-board navigation and position-fixing systems, including aircraft identification, four-dimensional position and additional data as appropriate. ADS data is displayed to the controller on a screen that resembles a radar screen.
The new ATC is ready, wherein advanced communication, navigation and surveillance systems are installed. A three-day ‘shadow operation’ from the new ATC will commence on December 2. -VK Seth, Director, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport, Indore.
