Raja Bhoj Airport Explained

Raja Bhoj Airport
Iata:BHO
Icao:VABP
Type:Public
Owner:Airports Authority of India
Operator:Airports Authority of India
City-Served:Bhopal
Location:Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Elevation-F:1,719
Elevation-M:524
Coordinates:23.2875°N 77.3375°W
Pushpin Map:India Madhya Pradesh#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in India
Pushpin Label:BHO
R1-Number:12/30
R1-Length-F:9,022
R1-Length-M:2,744
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:April 2023 - March 2024
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:1,380,571 (21.6%)
Stat2-Header:Aircraft movements
Stat2-Data:13,983 (13.2%)
Stat3-Header:Cargo tonnage
Stat3-Data:2,589 (15.1%)
Footnotes:Source: AAI[1] [2] [3]
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Zoom:10

Raja Bhoj Airport is a domestic airport and a seasonal international airport serving Bhopal, the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Named after the 10th century Paramara king, Raja Bhoj, it is the second busiest airport in Madhya Pradesh in terms of passenger and aircraft movements. It is the largest airport in the state by area. It is located in Gandhi Nagar, away from Bhopal Junction railway station in the city centre, and away from Habibganj railway station in the south of the city. The airport is also near the intersection of National Highway 46 (NH-46), which forms a ring road around Bhopal, and State Highway 18 (SH-18), which connects Bhopal to Indore.

The airport will have a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility due to its advantageous central location in India.[4]

Development

Runway

The Government of India considered the airport to be expanded to international standards to handle the rising traffic and demands. In 2010, the runway length was increased to 2744m (9,003feet), making it possible for larger aircraft to land in the airport.[5] The first direct seasonal international flight from the airport was to Jeddah, a Hajj charter flown by the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia, on 23 October 2010 for Hajj travellers.[6]

Renewable energy

In 2013, the airport became the first airport in the state to use solar power to run its utility grid system. A 100-kilowatt solar power plant was made operational in June 2013, with plans to install a 2-megawatt solar power plant at the airport in the future.[7] The airport has night landing facilities, an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and CAT VII fire services.[8]

Cargo and logistics hub

A new air cargo hub with 17 acres of land sanctioned near the airport is planned. The old terminal building is being redeveloped into a cargo complex to increase cargo operations from the capital airport. The temporary air cargo complex was inaugurated in October 2019.[9]

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility

The airport has been selected as one of the eight new destinations to set up maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in India. The airport's central location in the country provides ample growth and logistics prospects for the facility. Construction began in 2021 and was expected to be completed by 2024.[4]

Immigration checkposts and international flights

In September 2019, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) started the process of granting international status to the airport.[10] In November 2019, a joint central team composed of members of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Civil Aviation visited the airport to review the arrangements in starting immigration facilities, and did not find any major hurdles.

As of 23 December 2023, the airport was classified as an authorized immigration checkpost for entry or exit from India.[11] The airport was notified as a customs airport by the CBIC on 13 March 2024.[12]

Selfie Point - Say Yes To Life

In September 2022, the airport established a selfie point to glorify the importance of difficulties in life. The airport supported the campaign Say Yes To Life run by an eminent psychiatrist based in Bhopal, Dr. Satyakant Trivedi, who is also a member of the suicide prevention task force of the state.[13] [14]

Integrated terminal

The integrated terminal building worth was inaugurated on 28 June 2011 by the then Minister of Civil Aviation, Vayalar Ravi.[15] The Government of Madhya Pradesh had given 400 acres of land for the construction of the international terminal. The terminal building is spread over and has 14 check-in counters, four immigration counters for departures, and six immigration counters for arrivals.

It also has 22 customs counters, 11 for arrival and 11 for departure, and six X-ray machines for security.[8] The terminal now also has a restaurant and a few retail stores that were developed as part of the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) scheme of the master concessionaire. The terminal is connected to four aerobridges. A new air traffic control (ATC) tower was inaugurated by the airport authorities on 1 March 2024, built at a cost of . It is now the tallest ATC tower in the state, at a height of . At the initial stage, it will operate for only 2-3 hours, as testing will be underway. It will replace the existing ATC tower by shifting all operations to the new tower by April 2024.[16]

Awards and recognition

Accidents and incidents

Future expansions

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has finalized Raja Bhoj Airport masterplan which shall be implemented in three phases. The final phase is likely to be completed by 2047. The first phase will focus on enhancing existing infrastructure, including terminal expansion and upgraded air traffic control systems. The second phase involves significant changes like new taxiways and further terminal expansion. The final phase, to be completed by 2047, includes extending the runway to 4000 meters, allowing for larger aircraft and new routes. The expansion is expected to boost tourism, trade, and regional connectivity while ensuring sustainable development. [20]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Annexure III – Passenger Data. aai.aero. 20 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data. aai.aero. 20 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data. aai.aero. 20 April 2024.
  4. News: Civil aviation min announces new MRO policy; seeks to attract investments . Business Standard India . 12 October 2021 . 9 September 2021. Press Trust of India .
  5. News: Direct Haj flight from Bhopal . https://web.archive.org/web/20140106182955/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/direct-haj-flight-from-bhopal/article1-552532.aspx . dead . 6 January 2014 . . 3 June 2010 . 16 June 2015.
  6. News: First direct flight from Bhopal to Jeddah from tomorrow . . 21 October 2010 . 16 June 2015.
  7. News: Raja Bhoj airport all set to use solar energy . . 20 June 2013 . 16 June 2015.
  8. Web site: New terminal of Bhopal international airport opened for public . Airports International Indian edition . August 2011 . 16 June 2015.
  9. Web site: Bhopal to get air cargo services within a month. Free Press Journal. en. 2019-11-14.
  10. Web site: Immigration facility at Raja Bhoj airport soon . November 7, 2019. The Times of India. en. 2019-11-14.
  11. Web site: Immigration checkpost status for Bhopal Airport. December 23, 2023. The Times of India. en. 2024-03-13.
  12. Web site: 'International' tag for Bhopal airport for customs purpose. March 13, 2024. The Times of India. en. 2024-03-13.
  13. Web site: 2022-09-10. Say Yes To Life selfie point inaugurated at Bhopal airport. 2022-10-29. TimesOfIndia. en-US.
  14. Web site: 2022-09-09. आत्महत्या रोकथाम रणनीति को लेकर मंत्री सारंग ने बनाई टास्क फोर्स. 2022-10-29. Livevns. hindi.
  15. News: New terminal of Bhopal international airport opened for public . . 28 June 2011 . 16 June 2015.
  16. News: Singh. Ramendra. Built for ₹40cr, new ATC at Bhopal airport set to begin ops. The Times of India. 29 January 2023. 1 March 2024. en.
  17. Web site: Bhopal Airport soars to No. 1 in customer satisfaction survey. The Times of India. March 19, 2024.
  18. Web site: Bhopal airport tops customer survey, again. The Times of India. March 19, 2024.
  19. News: Singh. Ramendra. Bhopal: Trainer aircraft crashes after take-off from Bhopal airport, no casualties reported. The Times of India. 27 March 2021. 1 March 2024. en.
  20. Web site: Raja Bhoj airport masterplan final, devpt in 3 phases by 2047. The Times of India. Aug 12, 2024.