Keshod: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to install advanced navigational infrastructure at Keshod Airport once the extension of the runway to 2,500 meters is completed. As per the Master Plan and Scope of Work, installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), provision of CAT-I Approach Lighting System, and DVOR has been considered for Keshod Airport. The information was provided by Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, an official statement said.

The minister also stated that the ministry has already issued the Scope of Work for the extension of the runway to 2,500 meters at Keshod Airport, and work has been awarded. For installation of ILS, the runway length should be more than 1,800 meters, while Keshod Airport’s existing runway length is 1,300 meters.

Parimal Nathwani had written a letter to the Minister of Civil Aviation drawing his attention to the issue of flights being regularly cancelled at Keshod Airport.

In his letter, Nathwani raised the issue of frequent flight cancellations due to weather-related issues, especially low morning fog, and inadequate navigational infrastructure, including the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Keshod Airport. Frequent cancellations have been disruptive, defeating the purpose of regional route development. Though the airport was revived for better access to Gir National Park—a key tourist site—and Somnath, one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, frequent disruptions have hindered Keshod Airport’s operations, Nathwani noted in his letter.

Earlier, in a reply to a question raised by Parimal Nathwani in the Rajya Sabha, it was informed that the runway extension project cost is estimated at Rs. 190.56 crore, with a timeline for completion set at 18 months, and the projected completion date is January 2027.

It should be noted that the Airport Authority of India has also already undertaken the development of Keshod Airport at an estimated total cost of Rs. 364 crore, which includes the construction of a new terminal building at a cost of Rs. 142.17 crore. The new terminal building, spanning 6,500 square meters, is designed to handle a peak hour capacity of 400 departing and 400 arriving passengers simultaneously. DeshGujarat