Vizag airport grounded for 9 days, officials busy passing the buck

This time, the AAI may have a point—Vice-Admiral Mehta had used an Avro, which does not compare with commercial aircraft. In fact, even the Navy had issued a notice to airmen saying the airport will be closed for regular operations till October 26.

So, what happened? On October 14, as Vishakhapatnam received 42 cm rain, water in the Meghadrigadda reservoir crossed the danger mark. By night, the sluice gates were opened and over 17,000 cusecs were released. Result: The adjoining airport was inundated, its boundary wall breached and the terminal building under four feet of water. Flights were being cancelled due to heavy rains and soon it was discovered that airport was not in an operational state. Indian Airlines has 18 flights a week, Sahara has seven and Air Deccan has 14 from this airport.

After the inundation took place, the Navy deputed one of its officers at the project site to monitor the release of water. But then, this was not anticipated earlier and neither did the Irrigation Department—in charge of the reservoir—feel it necessary to inform the AAI.

Still, the Navy Spokesperson maintains: ‘‘The airfield is operational. Only the terminal building and approach to the runway are still inundated which is why civilian traffic is still not operational. The entire set-up will be fully operational in the next two days.’’

It may not be that easy because the condition of the runway is still not known. Often, the surface gets eroded if water is allowed to stay for a prolonged period. This increases chances of skidding and raises other safety questions.

‘‘It is fully safe for a Boeing to land at the airfield. We are operating Naval aircraft from the runway now…The approach and terminal building are at the lowest points in the airport,’’ insists the Navy spokesperson, adding that ‘‘there is no question of artificial drainage because the airport is fully above sea level, the runway is about eight feet above mean sea level.’’