BPIA seeks nods to decommission old ATC tower
"Once DGCA grants permission for decommissioning, we may decide to dismantle the tower and repurpose the space. However, we still need a backup facility for the new ATC, and we are considering using the anti-hijacking building for that," said airport director Prasanna Pradhan.
All rooms in the old ATC tower are now vacant, with equipment, electrical systems, and communication and navigation machines shifted to the new tower.
"A DGCA team may inspect the old tower before deciding on decommissioning. Based on future plans and possible privatisation, a final decision will be taken," a senior airport officer said.
The new ATC tower, commissioned with approval from DGCA and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), is equipped with BEL-made systems. Its automation platform, developed indigenously under the Make in India initiative, features advanced technology to streamline air traffic control, reduce workload for ATC officers, increase capacity, and minimise delays.
"The ATC has seen a rise in air traffic, particularly since night and international operations began. The airport is also a preferred diversion point for flights from neighbouring airports during bad weather. In light of these challenges, the new ATC is performing well in meeting growing demands," Pradhan said.
The old tower stands 23.46 metres tall, compared to the new tower's 44.2 metres. Unlike its successor, the old facility lacked full automation for air and ground handling.
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