The New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is aiming to become more ecologically friendly by executing the ‘Green Coverage Initiative’ in accordance with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
During a meeting on June 23rd between the Gwadar Development Authority,?the Civil Aviation Authority,?and the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), it was decided to prioritise this project.
Details revealed that the first phase will involve planting trees along 3 kilometres (approximately)?of the NGIA’s incoming and outgoing?highways. While the second phase will be focused on developing a green environment on around 4,300 acres of airport property.
Further revealing the details, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official said that the majority of the plants will come from the Plant Tissue Culture Lab and Green House, which are a part of?the Belt and Road Engineering Research Centre for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest.
Within the Gwadar Port Free Zone, this research centre collaborates with?the China Overseas Port Holding Company Limited, the Central South University of Forestry and Technology, and the Yulin Holding Company Limited.
Given Gwadar’s hot desert climate, low rainfall, and large seasonal temperature changes, the official emphasised the necessity of choosing tropical commercial tree species that can grow in high temperatures, salt and alkali-rich soils, strong winds, and dry conditions.
Talking to the media, a senior official said that all civil, mechanical,?structural,?and engineering tasks were completed by NGIA at a cost of Rs. 60.208 billion. Its runway is 6 km long and fulfils international requirements. It is now available for testing at any time.
Moreover, NGIA will be able to accommodate both narrow-body aircraft like the ATR 72 and wide-body aircraft like the?Boeing B-747 and?Airbus A-380. This will make travelling domestically as well as globally easier. The airport will operate under an open-sky strategy and will be built in accordance with CAA guidelines.