- In his query and letter to the Minister, Nathwani flagged the frequent cancellation of flights at Keshod Airport due to weather-related issues such as low morning fog and lack of adequate navigational aids
NE PARLIAMENT BUREAU
NEW DELHI, SEPT 18
The Ministry of Civil Aviation will install advanced navigational infrastructure at Keshod Airport once its runway extension to 2,500 meters is completed. This was informed by Civil Aviation Minister Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu in response to a query from Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani.
According to the Master Plan, the ministry has considered installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), a CAT–I Approach Lighting System, and DVOR facilities at the airport to minimize flight disruptions. The minister stated that while the Scope of Work for the runway extension has already been issued and awarded, ILS installation requires a minimum runway length of 1,800 meters, whereas Keshod Airport’s current runway is only 1,300 meters.
Frequent Flight Cancellations Raised in Parliament
In his query and letter to the Minister, Nathwani flagged the frequent cancellation of flights at Keshod Airport due to weather-related issues such as low morning fog and lack of adequate navigational aids. He underlined that such disruptions defeat the purpose of regional route development under UDAN, especially since the airport was revived to enhance connectivity to Gir National Park and Somnath Jyotirlinga, both major tourism destinations.
Ongoing Development at Keshod Airport
Earlier, in response to Nathwani’s Rajya Sabha question, the ministry had informed that the runway extension project is estimated at ₹190.56 crore, with an 18-month timeline and an expected completion by January 2027.
Separately, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is already executing a broader development plan worth ₹364 crore, which includes a new 6,500 sq. meter terminal building at a cost of ₹142.17 crore. The terminal is designed to handle 400 departing and 400 arriving passengers during peak hours, significantly upgrading passenger handling capacity.
Nathwani welcomed the assurance, stressing that completion of the extension and navigational upgrades will be critical for the smooth operation of flights and boosting tourism in the Saurashtra region.
