Aviation officials along with the police are still looking for six runway lights, which mysteriously disappeared on Thursday night last.
Meanwhile, a suspect at whose home a number of stolen items were recovered has been placed on station bail.
The stolen lights had no effect on the airport’s operations, as they were replaced from stockroom supplies and another set of lights has already been ordered, airport Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir said yesterday.
He also confirmed that there has since been no sighting of the lights and noted that the matter was now in the hands of the police.
Over the last few months, the airport has been a target for thieves. There had been several break-ins; people have sabotaged equipment, stolen fuel and a number of specialized cables among other items.
The total loss to the airport as well as many of the ground-handling operators over the last four months has been in excess of $8 million.
At around 6:30 pm last Thursday, this newspaper was told, the authorities had turned on the runway lights in preparation for night landings and a dark slot was noticed. Closer observation revealed the missing lights. Searches in a nearby squatter’s home uncovered a number of stolen and suspicious items. The owner of the home as well as relatives were questioned, and the owner was placed on station bail.
