Page 66 - Construction_Opportunities_December_2024

INFRASTRUCTURE TICKER TAPE

WARANGAL TO ENTER GLOBAL AVIATION NETWORK WITH NITISH KUMAR INSPECTS BIHTA-DANAPUR ELEVATED
MAMNOOR AIRPORT EXPANSION. ROAD AND SDRF HEADQUARTERS CONSTRUCTION.
Warangal is set to become a key player in the global aviation map Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently visited Bihta, on the outskirts of
with the upcoming expansion of Mamnoor Airport, which will soon Patna, to review the ongoing construction of the Bihta-Danapur
accommodate international aircraft, including Boeing and Airbus elevated road and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
models. The airport’s infrastructure is being upgraded to handle headquarters. He instructed officials to accelerate the projects
wide-body aircraft like the A320 and B737, making it capable of and ensure their timely completion.
servicing international routes. During his visit, the CM was briefed on the 25.081 km elevated road,
The new infrastructure will include a runway capable of supporting part of the Patna-Buxar four-lane highway project. The road will
aircraft with up to 215 passengers, such as the B737, and the A320, connect to a road overbridge (ROB) near Danapur railway station,
which typically seats between 140 and 170 passengers but can improving access to Bihta airport. In addition to the elevated
accommodate up to 180. Both aircraft are widely used by major road, four bypasses are under construction at Neuraganj (1.2 km),
Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. Panal (1.75 km), Kanhauli (1.7 km), and Vishunpura (0.6 km). The
The airport’s first phase will focus on operating aircraft with CM emphasized that the elevated road would significantly ease
capacities around 100 passengers, connecting Warangal to traffic flow and reduce travel time.
major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Tirupati, Bengaluru, and Later, CM Kumar visited Dilawarpur to inspect the construction
Vijayawada. “The infrastructure, including a new runway, will be progress of the SDRF headquarters. Building Construction
developed to accommodate both Boeing and Airbus aircraft,” a Department (BCD) secretary Kumar Ravi presented detailed plans
source from the roads and buildings department said. for the complex, which will include an administrative building,
Initial works will also include constructing a signal tower, security a 500-capacity auditorium, a training center for 290 trainees,
facilities, an administrative building, and other essential structures, a rapid disaster response team building, family housing, and
all adhering to the safety and technical standards outlined by a national-level swimming pool for flood relief training. The first
the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Once domestic phase, which includes key facilities such as the administrative,
operations begin, further upgrades will take place to bring training, and disaster response buildings, is expected to be
the airport in line with international standards, enabling both completed by January 2025. The remaining structures are slated
passenger and cargo operations. for completion by June 2025.
Mamnoor Airport, located about 150 km from Warangal, The CM noted that the SDRF, established in 2010 and modeled
has already received the necessary clearances, including a after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), had previously
No Objection Certificate (NOC) for its development under a faced challenges in training personnel due to the lack of a
concession agreement between Hyderabad International Airport dedicated facility. The new headquarters will address this gap
Limited and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The agreement stipulates by providing permanent infrastructure for training and other
that no new or existing airport within a 150 km radius of Mamnoor operations. Key officials including Development Commissioner
can be developed or upgraded into a domestic or international Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary to the CM S Siddharth, Road
airport until 25 years after its opening. Construction Secretary Sandeep Pudukkalkatti, District Magistrate
With the infrastructure upgrades underway, Mamnoor Airport is Chandrashekhar Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev
poised to transform Warangal into a significant aviation hub, Mishra, and SDRF Commandant Mohd Faroguddin were also
boosting regional connectivity and offering global accessibility. present during the visit.

66 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|DECEMBER 2024