An automatic weather observation system is proposed to be established at the Tiruchi international airport to provide continuous and accurate information on weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department would set up the meteorological park which would provide a gamut of information, including temperature, wind direction and speed, and runway visibility range.
The park would contain wind direction and speed measuring sensors, visibility sensors and ceilometer to measure the wind speed and direction at different heights.
Information from the meteorological park would be extremely useful for the airport authorities, especially during monsoon, when the visibility is poor. The data would also be useful in enhancing the efficiency of the airline operators, Airport Director B.C.H.Negi told reporters here on Friday.
Mr.Negi who assumed charge recently said plans were on to replace the conventional halogen lamps installed along the airport runway and taxiways with LED lights.
The LED lights were energy efficient, environment-friendly, and required lesser maintenance. The exercise of fitting the LED lights on the four taxiways had already begun; Mr.Negi said adding that plans were on to tap solar power by installing solar panels on vacant areas in the airport.
Two such locations had been identified for installing the panels and solar power would be utilised for runway lighting and terminal building.
One more aerobridge had been sanctioned for Tiruchi airport, he said. This would increase its numbers to three.
The city side of the airport would be improved through landscaping and greening the space through sponsors. Three agencies had come forward to improve the area.
Under its corporate social responsibility initiative, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) would construct additional toilets in 15 schools in the district before the end of the current financial year.
The schools in which toilets were proposed to be constructed had been identified from the list obtained from the Educational department authorities. The AAI would maintain the toilets for two years, Mr.Negi said.