Surat Airport : Parallel Runway Dream Takes a Detour

Surat : Surat’s long-cherished dream of a parallel runway at Surat Airport  seems to have hit a snag, with the recent MoU between the Gujarat government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) suggesting a shift in focus towards a new greenfield airport.

The MoU, signed on December 6th, outlines a 22.33-acre land acquisition for future development, specifically for the installation of CAT-I lights. This significantly reduces the land requirement compared to the 2104 acres envisioned in the 2035 Master Plan, which included a parallel runway.

“The MoU throws a wrench in the plans for the parallel runway,” said a local aviation expert, requesting anonymity. “It seems the authorities are now looking beyond the current location due to the limitations it presents.”

The limitations include height constraints and the presence of an ONGC pipeline, both of which pose significant challenges to expansion at the existing airport. This was further hinted at during the Prime Minister’s recent visit, where the parallel runway was conspicuously absent from the future development map presented by the AAI Chairman.

“The recent MoU and the map shown to the Prime Minister paint a clear picture,” said another aviation insider. “The focus seems to have shifted towards a greenfield airport at a new location, potentially addressing the concerns of height and the pipeline.”

This shift in plans has left some residents and businesses in Khuda, a nearby area earmarked for land acquisition in the previous plan, feeling uncertain. “There was talk of half our land going to the airport under the Khuda development plan,” said a Khuda resident. “But now, it seems that’s all fallen through.”

While the MoU doesn’t explicitly mention a greenfield airport, the reduced land requirement and the acknowledgment of limitations at the current location leave little room for doubt. The government, however, has remained tight-lipped about its future plans.

“We are committed to Surat’s aviation development,” said an airport officer, offering a diplomatic response. “We are exploring all options to ensure the city has the air connectivity it deserves.”

“With the parallel runway dream seemingly on hold, Surat’s aviation future hangs in the balance. The possibility of a greenfield airport offers exciting prospects for the city’s growth, but the details and timeline remain shrouded in uncertainty” said an aviation expert.