Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Adoption of Modern Navigation Systems
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 37

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## ADOPTION OF MODERN NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

## 37. SHRI MANISH TEWARI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware that globally Non-Directional Beacons (NDBs) are being decommissioned due to high maintenance costs and obsolescence, with authorities such as the US FAA planning to withdraw all NDB-based approaches by 2030 and similar phaseouts in Australia, Canada and Europe in favour of satellite-based navigation and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  RNAV/RNP  and  other  Performance-Based  Navigation  (PBN)  procedures  are internationally recognised as safer and more efficient, particularly for constrained airports and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for certifying a new NDB at Sindhudurg Airport by the DGCA on 1 January 2026 despite these global trends;
- (d) the  present  status  of  night-landing  and  instrument  approach  facilities  at  Chandigarh International  Airport  including  any  operational  restrictions  due  to  terrain,  airspace  or equipment limitations; and
- (e) the steps being taken to prioritise RNAV/RNP-based procedures at ChandigarhAirport and other  regional  airports  to  enhance  safety,  reduce  diversions  and  improve  operational efficiency?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(  Shri Murlidhar Mohol  )

- (a): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken action to phase-out NDBs. To meet minimum  aerodrome  licensing  requirements  under  Directorate  General  of  Civil  Aviation (DGCA) Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 4, Series F, Part I, NDBs are retained or installed  at  select  airports  where  Doppler  Very  High  Frequency  Omnidirectional  Range installation is not feasible.
- (b):  The  International  Civil  Aviation  Organization  (ICAO),  in  37th  assembly  resolution,  has urged all states to implement RNAV & RNP air traffic services (ATS) routes and approach procedures.  All  procedures  including  RNAV/RNP  and  other  Performance  Based  Navigation procedures are designed and promulgated in accordance with ICAO and DGCA guidelines, with due consideration to safety.
- (c):  At  Sindhudurg  Airport,  the  satellite-based  Required  Navigation  Performance  instrument approach procedures for Runways 09 and 27 have been published and are operational, enabling day and night Instrument Flight Rules operations independent of ground-based navigational aids. The Non-Directional Beacon at Sindhudurg Airport has been installed as a supplementary and contingency  navigational  aid  to  meet  aircraft  homing  and  regulatory  requirements  under applicable Civil Aviation Requirements.
- (d) & (e): Chandigarh Airport belongs to the Indian Air Force (IAF), where civil operations are enabled through a Civil Enclave. IAF maintains Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT  - II facilities at runway end 29 along with CAT-II approach light for night landing facilities. Airports Authority  of  India  is  providing  ILS  CAT  -  I  facilities  at  runway  end  II  along  with  CAT-I approach light for night landing facilities.

Being an IAF airport, the provision of Air Traffic Services and implementation of navigation procedures fall under the purview of the IAF.

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