The Delhi Airport has informed Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation that the re-carpeting project on its main runway 28/10 is behind schedule. The airport now estimates the runway will reopen on January 19 instead of the original December 15 target.The delay comes as flight disruptions have plagued Indian airports amid poor weather conditions this winter. The 28/10 runway has been closed since mid-September for scheduled upgrades.Citing obstacles to progressIn its letter to the ministry, the airport authority cited preparations for Novembers G20 Summit in Delhi and subsequent GRAP IV air pollution control measures as hampering construction. Supply chain issues like delayed imported lighting equipment also contributed.The project work involves re-carpeting the 28/10 runway and upgrading it to CAT III-B standards, enabling aircraft to land in extremely poor visibility. The airports other CAT III runway, 29L/11R, remains operational.Targeting January 19 completionDelhi Airport stated it aims to finish work by January 19 for inspections by Indias aviation regulator, the DGCA. The crunch comes amid a spate of flight disruptions from fog and other weather events.Another Delhi runway lost its CAT III status briefly when a construction crane partly obstructed the required views. The obstructions have since been cleared.Airport upgrades causing temporary disruptionsAs Indias busiest airport, Delhi is undergoing major capacity enhancements. However, the upgrades have necessitated temporary runway closures, putting pressure on the remaining infrastructure.Delhi Airports letter signals awareness of public frustrations but underscores obstacles faced in expediting projects at saturated airports like Delhi.
