ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: The government is in the process of finalizing the exact location for the third runaway at new Islamabad International Airport (IIAP).

Sources said that construction of third runway at new IIAP is requirement of future and due to tendency of construction and growth around airport, land is unavailable, making future expansions difficult.

The Prime Minister, to ensure future expansions, directed that land for third runway be acquired now and accordingly consultants M/s ADPI & NESPAK proposed a site viable for construction of the runway in future.

They added that Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has intimated about general area to revenue authorities for potential requirement for future runway, however exact location and area for acquisition are not finalized due to terrain complications, intricacies of adding new surfaces (technical design) to be dovetailed with the existing infrastructure and to avoid inhabited areas.

The exact location is in the process of finalization stage with the design consultants and the cost of land will vary depending on the final recommendations of the consultants.

With regard to illegal constructions, which fall in the area near New Islamabad International Airport, and third runway, an advertisement was published. The CAA is in active liaison with building control authorities – Rawalpindi Development Authority, District Council Attock and District Council Rawalpindi - and drone survey of structure free zone around new IIAP and runway funnel areas has been conducted by CAA and CDs are forwarded to building control authorities.