Gaya airport opens at night; soldier airlifted

Gaya: Gaya airport was opened late on Wednesday night to facilitate the emergency evacuation of a critically ill soldier from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) to Delhi in an Indian Air Force air ambulance.According to airport officials, Gaya airport director and air traffic control (ATC) in-charge Awadhesh Kumar received a late evening call from the Bihta Air Force Station seeking urgent activation of the airport for the transfer of a patient requiring advanced treatment in Delhi.Since the airport’s ATC tower normally shuts operations after 5.30pm, the request was initially declined because of operational constraints. However, the authorities later approved it considering the gravity of the medical emergency.Airport director Awadhesh Kumar said on Thursday, “Technicians and the officials who had already left after duty hours were called back to resume operations and activate ATC services. At around 10 pm, an Indian Air Force air ambulance arrived from Lucknow and transported Selvan, a soldier posted at the OTA, to Delhi for advanced treatment.”“According to the information from army officials, the soldier suffering from liver failure, needed immediate medical emergency care,” he added.Officials said emergency arrangements were made within a short span to ensure uninterrupted landing and take-off operations for the air ambulance. The airport staff reopened operational facilities and coordinated with the Air Force authorities to complete the evacuation without delay.The critically ill soldier was later flown to Delhi for specialised treatment.