In March 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while reviewing at site the pace of work of the New Islamabad International Airport, had directed the concerned authorities to ensure the state-of-the-art international airport to be functional positively by March 31, 2015, which was originally scheduled for completion in December 2010. Yet, the project has failed to achieve its revised deadline another time, and it is now expected for completion by October 2016. The project is being constructed by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the National Highway Authority (NHA) is the executing agency. prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The strategically important project is a typical case of poor planning, inefficient management and improper monitoring that has caused huge cost overruns, besides so far depriving the nation of a world-class airport and socio-economic benefits as a strong correlation exists between national economy and its aviation industry. The project cost was Rs37 billion in 2007-08. As a result of escalating land prices and rupee devaluation during these years, however, project cost was recast to Rs66 billion as per revised PC-I. Now, on completion, the project is estimated to cost an enormous Rs95 billion—almost three times of its original cost. Overall physical progress achieved so far is 85 percent, civil works being in final stages including runways, aprons, passenger terminals, cargo complex, airfield lighting system, road network, etc, whereas hydrant refueling system is nearing completion.
Planned in 1984, the project could not take-off due to a variety of factors, as mode of work, project parameters and procedure for award of contract were revised a number of times. The project was announced on January 7, 2005. But there was no headway, and finally the project was launched on April 7, 2007, which was envisaged for completion in three years. This was done without approval of feasibility report, and without conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study, both pre-requisites for commencing construction of a project of this nature and magnitude. The mandatory EIA report was finalised as late as in September 2010.
Ironically, this was done in the absence of detailed design and engineering of airport complex. Services of the American consultants were engaged later for development of master plan of airport and its project management, whereas designing of airport infrastructure was assigned to a French company. Most modern and largest in the country, the green-field airport has been designed, employing state-of-the-art facility for wide-body aircrafts of latest generation such as Airbus 380. The complex comprises, among other facilities, four rapid-exit taxiways, an apron to accommodate 20 aircrafts, a 15-boarding bridges terminal with 10 remote gates. Its design addresses key issues of safety, security and efficiency. On completion, airport will provide passenger-friendly services that include 42 immigration counters, nine baggage claim carousels, 12 x-ray machines, car-parking for 2,000 vehicles, a covered plaza area for 200 cars, hotel, convention centre, food court, and leisure facilities, etc.
Nonetheless, it has been reported that airport design and planning is faulty and does not comply with the international standards, regulations and practices. For example, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), of which Pakistan is a member, has pointed out that operating two runways, each 4,000 meters long, simultaneously in parallel as planned, would not be possible as the inter-strip distance provided is only 300 meters compared to recommended 800 meters. Likewise, arrangements made for the electricity and water supplies for the airport facilities are inadequate. Deviating from earlier approved road access plan, a new 19-km long approach road network to airport is to be constructed at an additional cost of Rs13 billion, of which the first 4-km link road has recently been approved by the prime minister. High-rise buildings in Islamabad like under-construction Centaurus Complex and Grand Hyatt Hotel as well as numerous housing societies surrounding the new airport area would pose serious problems in its operational activities.
The new airport is being constructed to replace existing overloaded and congested airport at Islamabad, Chaklala, so as to meet the growing requirements of air traffic and passenger flow. Unfortunately, when the airport will be operational in 2016, it would already be inadequate in terms of capacity to handle the projected passengers and cargo. There is rapid growth of air traffic at Islamabad, average five percent annually, whereas it catered to four million passengers in 2013-14. Passenger traffic is projected as 6.2 million by 2020. The new airport will be upgraded in phases to achieve full operational capability to meet traffic of 9.3 million passengers and 80,000 tons cargo, projected up to 2030.
The Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC), in addition to its responsibilities of redressing the public grievances, is mandated to check corruption and mismanagement in the public-funded on-going mega projects. Sadly, it is practically a dormant institution since long and has lost its effectiveness over a period of time. There is a need to revive the organisation on priority to assist the government in improving efficiency and transparency in the government and public sector projects, starting from taking remedial measures for the completion of the much-delayed new international airport at Islamabad.
The writer is the chairman of Institute of Engineering, Islamabad