Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport to get major ATC upgrade: Report

Bengaluru's KIA prepares for a ₹200 crore overhaul of its Air Traffic Control facilities to handle increasing air traffic and integrate advanced technologies.

Published on: Jul 5, 2024, 18:00:14 IST

By Yamini C S

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In good news for aviation enthusiasts, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Karnataka capital Bengaluru is all set for a major upgrade to accommodate future growth in air traffic and to integrate state-of-the-art technologies.

Expected to be completed within six months to a year, the proposed refurbishment is projected to incur costs of around ₹200 crore. (Representative image) (HT FILE)

Expected to be completed within six months to a year, this overhaul aims to enhance operational efficiency amid the airport's increasing flight movements, The Times of India reported.

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Since its inception in May 2008 near Terminal 1, the current ATC managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has experienced a significant rise in air traffic. Handling between 720 to 730 flight movements daily, the airport has become a pivotal hub for aviation operations.

A spokesperson from the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which is the operator of the KIA, spoke to reporters on the matter and said, "In response to escalating demand, plans are in motion to construct a new, technologically advanced ATC tower within the airport complex, alongside the upgrade of the existing facility," as quoted by the publication.

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The proposed refurbishment is projected to incur costs of around ₹200 crore, reflecting the commitment to modernize infrastructure and bolster operational capabilities at the KIA, it added.

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This upgrade is long overdue and much deserved as the airport recently reaffirmed its status as India's leading hub for perishable exports, marking its fourth consecutive year at the top. The BIAL reported a substantial growth in perishable cargo handling, with a total of 63,188 metric tons processed during the 2023-24 financial year, reflecting an impressive 18 per cent increase from the previous year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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