Mumbai:
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Quick fix: The primary runway, which had some potholes, was attended to yesterday. File pic |
The runway was shut for 16 minutes between 1.18 pm and 1.34 pm yesterday after overnight rain reduced visibility and a pilot reported a possible surface damage.
Two Kingfisher airlines flights (IT-306 and 512), a Go Air flight from Jaipur (G8 105) and an Indian Airlines flight from Delhi (IC-865) were diverted to Ahmedabad.
Several departures were also delayed by 30 to 45 minutes, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) official said.
"The secondary runway was made operational at 1.34 pm after
visibility improved. After maintenance of the main runway, it was handed over to the ATC at 1.57 pm," he added.
Best mix Both the primary and secondary runways were thoroughly checked during the closure.
"The primary runway, which had some potholes, was quickly attended to. A bituminous mix was poured into the damaged areas to fill up the cavities," said an airport official.
The bitumen used to cover the potholes costs between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per cubic metre.
Superior quality
"The quality of bitumen that was used is far superior to the one used to repair Mumbai's roads, since a higher level of friction needs to be maintained," the official said.
He added that the authorities used quick drying material since crippling of air services meant chaos.
Explaining the process, a former Airports Authority of India expert said, "The special bitumen mix helps in holding together loose pebbles and filling up potholes. Ignoring such a situation can result in tyre bursts and damage to the engine," he said.
According to him, materials like mastek that are used by the BMC would be useless on a runway.
Two runways Mumbai has two intersecting runways designated 09/27 and 14/32. Runway 14/32 is 2,925 metres long and runs between the domestic and international terminals.
The main runway, which is 3,445 metres long, intersects the smaller runway south of the two terminal buildings.
