CCEA approves GPS-aided GAGAN project for Rs 774 cr

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for implementation of Global Positioning System (GPS) Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) project for seamless navigation over Indian airspace at an estimated cost of Rs 774 crore.

The project involves development of indigenous technology in frontier areas.

An official release here said the project has numerous benefits relating to the aviation sector and would enable aircraft to navigate on a straight path or route instead of navigating on a zig-zag path over land based stations.

The system would also enable multiple approach capability.

Further, with the help of GAGAN -- project of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) -- it would be possible to provide coverage of oceanic areas, which is not possible by terrestrial systems.

It would improve airport and airspace access in all weather conditions; enhance reliability and reduce delays; provide uniform and accurate navigation performance over the entire airspace.

The project would also provide fuel efficient air corridors and provide CAT-I approach without ground element support.

''Broadly, the project would result in fuel savings or efficiency for airlines, and enable higher air traffic within the limited airspace,'' the release said.

UNI SBA/GS rr kp1636