Security plan: Modern perimeter fence for new airport

Construction under way to complete delayed project before March 2015 deadline.

ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to install a modern perimeter fence around the under-construction New Islamabad International Airport.

Authority officials say the “perimeter intrusion detection system” will help ensure up-to-the-mark security of the airport, located in Fateh Jang.

They said a security consultant will be engaged to survey the 18.4-kilometre area and prepare an initial report, adding the consultant will also conduct security audit and risk assessments.

The government has set a deadline of March 2015 to complete work on the new airport. CAA officials say civil work and hydrant refueling systems have almost been completed at the airport while 55 per cent work on the air traffic control has been carried out.

Local police and civil administration have also been directed to help CAA in clearing the area of encroachments.

The government has planned to establish a power plant and small dams to ensure regular electricity and water supply to the airport which is estimated to cater 15 million passengers annually.

The airport will have 15 boarding bridges and be able to handle 400,000 metric tons of cargo. Moreover, the government has ordered the installation of a modern baggage handling system at the airport. The groundbreaking of the project was jointly performed in April 2007 and was supposed to be completed within 30 months.

Initially, the cost of the project was estimated to be Rs37 billion. Later, the PC-I of the project was revised
and in March 2012, the cost rose to Rs66 billion. Presently, CAA has revised expenditures and puts the figure at Rs95 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2014.