Even as the deadline for completion of modernisation work at the Chandigarh Airport has been extended to December, from March, it looks unlikely that the project will meet the extended deadline. The airport authorities as well as private contractors blame the delay on the space constraints around the site.

“The planning had, earlier, been done keeping in mind the intensive use of machineries like crane. Due to restricted open space, these machines could not be installed and the entire work, therefore, is being done manually. This explains the delay,” said Airport Director Sunil Dutt.

The airport roof imported from Singapore, which was to be installed with the help of machinery, is now being assembled manually.

“While the space required is around one-and-a-half times more than the construction area, all that we have available is the site area. The time lag between the order and delivery of raw materials, courtesy the limited space for storing it, is another major issue,” said the project manager.

The delay in modernisation work has also kept at bay the airlines seeking to start services from the city.

“Certain domestic and international airlines have approached us to start operations from Chandigarh. We have advised them to wait till the completion of the modernisation work,” added Dutt.