The Coast Guard is actively pursuing its plan to have an air enclave in Thiruvananthapuram, a senior officer said on Saturday. Though vital to the Coast Guard’s plans to enhance its operational footprint in the south, the air enclave project has been delayed on account of infrastructure-related issues.
The Coast Guard is currently in talks with the Thiruvananthapuram Airport regarding access for the enclave – which is close to the domestic terminal – to the runway, Commandant G. Sreekumar, Station Commander, Coast Guard Station, Vizhinjam, told The Hindu on Saturday during a ‘Day at Sea’ programme held in connection with the 48th Raising Day of the Coast Guard.
If all goes well, the air enclave can be commissioned in the next two years, he said. “We have taken over the land for the project. But we need a taxiway or taxi link for aircraft from our hangar to the runway. That has to be provided by the airport. Discussions are in progress,” he said.
