Till Sunday evening, water was accumulated on the runway and other parts of the Juhu airport. While the water did start receding, authorities stated that it would take them at least 15 days to resume the fights again. The moss on the runway also needs cleaning.

One of the main reasons for the flooding has been the damaged perpherial walls of the airport. Water seeps in constantly through this wall during the rains. Also the newly constructed hangar of the state-owned Mesco airlines and its taxi track, has prevented the free flow of water. As it is know, it was the pioneering sprit of the Sassoons and the Wadias, which converted the paddy fields in Juhu into the Bombay Flying Club and led to the laying of the Juhu runway. JRD Tata, whose contribution to civil aviation has been noteworthy, set up of the first mail service to Mumbai and also obtained his licence through the Bombay Flying Club. And over 50 DC3 aircrafts used to ply out of Juhu airport connecting India to Africa and the Middle East for leading families like the Chellarams and the Dalamals.

However, the present Juhu airport is a story of neglect. Despite the presence of government organization like the oil and Natural Gas Commission, Pawan Hans, Coast guard, leading corporates and state-owned Mesco airlines, which uses the airstrips, the airport has not been developed at all.

The biggest problem is the poor drainage, erratic power supply and no night landing facilities. Over the years, the International Airport Authority of India (IAAI) did nothing to improve the situation, which has now worsened.

“The IAAI charges a very high rent without providing any facilities. Santacruz airport, which has good ground facilities charges Rs 30 per square metre a month, while here we are paving Rs 250,” says an official from a private aircraft company.

“The facilities are not been upgraded for the past 20 years. The authorities have stalled their efforts to set up an electrical sub-station. At time, the power supply goes below 100 volts making it difficult for us to operate,” complains another official.

While there are reports of yet another airport being built for Mumbai, aviation experts opine that if the Juhu airport is utilitsed to its maximum potential, it would save the state exchequer. “It would be practical as well as cost-effective to raise the existing runway by at least six feet, divert the traffic on the S V road to a sub-way and extend the runway into the sea. Also a viewers’ circle for the public, similar on the lines like the one at the Frankfurt airport could also be created for the tourists,” states one expert.

bombaytimes@indiatimes.com