Air traffic controllers question repeated runway breakdown

KATHMANDU, June 22: Following repeated flaking off of sections of the fresh black-topping over the only runway at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and consequent flight disruptions, Air Traffic Controllers on Tuesday alleged that there have been serious irregularities in the recently concluded runway overlay works.

“Of irregularities defaming the country, the reconstruction works at TIA is bigger and more serious than the Sudan scam,” charged Murari Prasad Poudel, general secretary of Nepal Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

International flights were held up for nearly three hours on Tuesday after a section of the 3,050-meter (10,000 feet) runway became unusable with the black-topping flaking off leaving holes between link taxiway 4 and 5.

Three international flights had to be diverted to Lucknow, while departure of two was delayed by nearly three hours from 8 am. It was only after the holes were temporarily patched up that international flights resumed. Domestic flights, which do not need the full runway, were not as seriously affected.

Repeated problem

This is not the first time the new black-topping came off.

A week ago, a similar problem caused a five-hour disruption.

Tuesday´s was the fourth disruption in a month, and there were even more disruptions in the preceding months, according to Poudel, who works as Air Traffic Controller at TIA. General Manager Ratish Chandra Lal Suman of TIA confirmed that the overlay is causing frequent problems.

And it is not just the runway that is having problems. Black-topping of the newly-built helicopter parking area has also flaked off just months after the overlay and construction works at TIA was completed in mid-February this year.

According to Poudel, who has been working as Air Traffic Controller for a decade now, such problems were rare before the fresh overlay.

“As air traffic controllers, we have to give runway clearance to flights,” Poudel said, questioning, “What explanation can we conceivably give to flight operators for these frequent disruptions?”

He added, “Given the repeated problems, NATCA has concluded that the runway overlay and helipad parking area construction does not meet International Civil Aviation Organization standards. NATCA members involved in managing air traffic will not take responsibility for any accident caused by the poor quality construction of runway, taxi way and parking.”

CAAN, TIA management blame single runway and rain

TIA GM Suman blamed the airport´s lack of alternate runway for the frequent runway breakdown and flight disruptions.

“Runways in foreign countries also have such problems. The problem here is the absence of an alternate runway to handle contingency,” Suman said.

The single runway at TIA deals daily with 27 international arrivals and an equal number of international departures, apart from 450 domestic take-offs and landings.
Ram Prasad Neupane, director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), conceded that some sections of the fresh overlay have been problematic.

“An inspection by our consultant and technicians concluded that areas where overlay was done when it was raining are having problems. The problem at the helipad is also rain-related. Water seepage caused the flaking off there,” Neupane said.

A joint venture of China Railway Engineering Corp and Nepal´s Tundi Construction Pvt Ltd were given contract for the works at TIA. The project´s consultant is a Nepali Company named GEOCE Consultants Pvt Ltd.

“The problem is localized to certain sections,” Neupane explained. “The areas are being identified for reconstruction,” he added.

According to Neupane, the fact that the overlay work was done from midnight to 6 am in the morning to prevent air traffic disruptions, and sometimes even under drizzle, resulted in some weak spots.

“But the contactor is still under a one-year liability period when it will have to rebuild the weak sections. Entire sections where problems are reported will be rebuilt within the liability period,” he said.

The previous overlay works at TIA was conducted 12 years ago when air traffic was much thinner and therefore the landing impact on the runway lesser.

Dhruba Bhochhibhoya, director of the runway overlay project, said the problems spots are being temporarily patched up. “As soon as the rainy season ends, entire sections will be replaced with fresh black-topping,” he said.