19 June,2009 07:44 AM IST | | Aditya Anand
New sensors will monitor all moving objects, which pose a risk to aircraft No more accidents: The sensors will be installed by the end of August at a cost of Rs 20 crore.
A series of near misses have hit Mumbai airport in the recent past.
So, a wary Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has now decided to install sensors to monitor all moving objects stray dogs, low flying birds and the occasional people that pose a risk to planes.
All the sensors will be installed by the end of August at a cost of Rs 20 crore.
16 antennae
Known as the Surface Movement Radar, the equipment has been imported from Holland.
"The 16 antennae of the radar will cover both the main and secondary runways and the apron area," an MIAL official said.
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Improve safety
Explained M G Jhungare, general manager (aerodrome), Mumbai airport, "The radar will help act as the eye of the Air Traffic Controller.
Information on all movement will be available to the controllers on a screen at the control tower."
He added that the radar would improve the safety and efficiency of surface movement operations by providing a real-time picture of aircraft and vehicles on the runway and a range of operationally useful safety tools.u00a0
Kiddie treat
The MIAL has set up a Children's Corner to keep kids occupied while they wait for flight. Located at Terminal I-B, the Corner is decorated with pictures of cartoons.
An MIAL spokesperson said, "With an area of 110 sq ft, it will remain open from 6 am to 9 pm. It will offer entertainment facilities such as a television set, magic mirror, board games, drawing sheets and crayons."
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It will also display books for reading and purchase. Specially trained staff will man this venture of the Landmark chain of bookstores.
Past incidents
May 31, 2009: An Air India aircraft and a Jet Airways aircraft almost collided with each other.
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February 9, 2009: Three helicopters belonging to President Pratibha Patil's entourage landed on the main runway as an Air India flight lined up for takeoff.u00a0
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June 5, 2008: A dog on the runway held up 1,800 passengers when four flights were forced to go-around and five more diverted. Fuel worth Rs 8 lakh was burned in the process.
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May 21, 2008: A jeep belonging to construction company L&T crossed the runway minutes before an aircraft was about to take off.
March 26, 2007: Less than a minute before a Jet Airways flight was to land, a vehicle crossed the runway.
