Kolkata: To meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF), emergency landing facility works have begun on the national highway in the Poktapol area of West Midnapore district, an official said.
The government has taken the initiative to set up an Air Force emergency landing facility in Bakhrabad area of Kharagpur sub-division. This initiative has been taken in order to convert a five km road of Kharagpur-Odisha NH 60, starting from Shyampura to Poktapol, into a jet runway, a source said.
According to reports, the work of surveying and removal of trees and shops along the national highway began two days ago. An emergency landing facility marking board has also been installed on the national highway.
The working officials said, “This five km national road will be 60 meter wide. The middle part of the road will also be filled.”
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According to sources, emergency landing runways are being constructed on the national highway across 13 locations in India. However, there is only one emergency landing runway in West Bengal at present.
The Belda, Narayangarh adjacent areas have been hit by several Air Force MIG aircraft in the past. The officials said that the runway will be completed soon.
