Kochi: Despite the devastation caused by the floods, the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is all set to reopen the airport by next Sunday as scheduled earlier, dispelling doubts that it may get delayed, by fast-tracking the restoration process. The cleaning work inside the terminals is underway with waterlogging in runway, taxiway and parking bay getting over.
“The runway needs some milling works which will be completed within two days. To ensure utmost safety, all runway lights, which number nearly 800, will have to be removed, tested and refitted. Anot-her challenge is the reconstruction of the flood-hit perimeter wall. We have lost almost 2,600 metres of wall,” said an official spokesperson of CIAL.
He said that the reconstruction works have alre-ady started. “Parallel to this we are erecting ready to use structures, as per security norms, within the deadline. To support travel needs, CIAL is rendering terminal management services at the Navy airport. More airlines will operated from there,” he said.
Meanwhile CIAL has estimated the loss from the floods to the tune of Rs 250 crore including the loss due to closure of the airport during flood days. The baggage scanners, CCTV cameras and cargo scanners have been damaged and needs replacement. There are over 3500 CCTV cameras at the airport including those on the runway and over half of them have been damaged.
The CIAL’s pride solar power system too has been severely affected in the floods. The loss estimated is '8 crore in this regard. This is in addition to the nearly Rs 250 crore loss. “Though the solar panels are not damaged when it is submerged in water, the circuits got damaged in the flood. Currently four of the eight power plants are functioning and 70,000 un-its of power are produced in peak hour which is half of the installed capacity,” said the CIAL spokesperson.
