Kochi: Intense work is on to reopen the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery even as domestics flights are being operated from the Southern Naval Command base at Wellingdon Island. Efforts are being made on a war footing to reopen the airport, India's fourth largest in traffic, by August 26.
CIAL authorities assured that the airport will be reopened on the said date as the maintenance works on the runway will be completed in two days. Water has receded from the runway, taxiway and apron. Around 200 workers have been assigned with the cleaning and disinfection works of these spots. Three milling machines have been brought from Tamil Nadu to fix small problems in the runway.
The airport suffered a loss of Rs 220 to Rs 250 crore as it had to shut down in the flood chaos. Computer systems, baggage scanners, X-ray equipment and surveillance cameras were damaged and conveyor belts were drenched. The domestic and international terminals and the duty free shop were also inundated.
Security scare
The compound wall of the airport collapsed at several points, totally stretching to 2.6 km in length. A security issue has emerged as the damaged compound wall cannot be rebuilt asap. The damaged parts are being barricaded with metal sheets for the time being.
The damage to the electrical equipment and lights at the airport is also a concern. Even runway lights will have to be repaired. Surveillance cameras and television screens too have to come back to life. Many electrical substations on the airport premises were flooded. These have to be checked and assured of safety.
Flights on from naval base
Three flights took off on Monday from the Naval airport in Kochi to Bengaluru and Coimbatore. Air India operated the flights using its 70-seater ATR-72 aircraft. Chennai and Hyderabad flights are scheduled to leave on Tuesday. IndiGo will fly to Chennai as well as Bengaluru while Air India will operate a flight to Hyderabad.
Eighteen international flights and 10 domestic flights are being operated extra everyday from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. These surplus services will continue up to August 26.