Tests under way; Vellore airport to be operational soon
“We have already conducted the ground calibration tests and this test was to undertake air calibration,” AAI (Airports Authority of India) sources said.
Vellore Airport Terminal Building City side, Airside View
VELLORE: That airport in Vellore might finally become operational soon as indicated by a plane that flew low over the facility conducting tests to calibrate the surrounding air, on Sunday.
The airport which was started under the Union government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme in 2016 has undergone many ups and downs resulting in many doubting whether it would ever become functional at all.
This was despite the runway being expanded to 850 metres to accommodate 20-seater aircraft and the terminal building getting ready a year ago, nothing seemed to be happening despite Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh visiting the facility some months ago.
On Sunday locals were enthralled by seeing a plane flying low over the airport five times repeatedly. Sources revealed that the aircraft came to Vellore from New Delhi via Chennai and that it was testing to calibrate air-related instruments when in flight.
“We have already conducted the ground calibration tests and this test was to undertake air calibration,” AAI (Airports Authority of India) sources said.
The tests were carried out by AAI by five officials, two of whom were on the “ground while the other three were up in the air in the aircraft,” the sources added.
Another point was to ensure that the landing lights on the runway were visible clearly from the air, sources said.
“It may be recalled that trees, water tanks, and buildings more than 25 feet in height were removed to ensure that there was no hindrance to signals to and from the aircraft,” sources said. Sources added that they expected expeditious clearance of the application to start operations by December this year.
“However, the facility is yet to get a permanent control tower as only a mobile is used at present,” sources added. Fire tenders and an ambulance were also kept ready at the airport for emergency use.
With the airport perimeter being fully fenced and with the approach road from Abdullapuram being re-laid, officials believed the facility would soon hum with activity.