NEW DELHI: After months of trials, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport’s new state-of-the-art air traffic control (ATC) tower will be finally inaugurated by Union minister of state for civil aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday. Located parallel to the old ATC tower, it will help IGI improve its efficiency and operational capacity.
Standing at a height of 103 metres, the new ATC tower is said to be the tallest in India. Worldwide, only eight ATC towers are higher than the one at IGI with Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok being the tallest at 132.2m. In comparison, Qutub Minar stands at a height of 72.5m.
Built at a cost of Rs 350 crore, the new tower has been equipped with the latest technology, giving a significant improvement to the existing air traffic operation and handling capacity. Not only will IGI airport be able to handle more flights, but precision in terms of tracking flights is also expected to improve. Officials said its true output will be known once the fourth runway is ready within the next three years.
