India AGL · Project Applications

INDIA AGL PROJECT APPLICATIONS

AGL requirements arise across the full lifecycle of Indian airport projects.

From new airport builds and expansion to live-runway rehabilitation, LED retrofit and ongoing maintenance, each stage has its own AGL requirements.

01 · Applications Overview

AGL Requirements Across the Project Lifecycle

Airfield Ground Lighting is used across a wide range of airport and airfield projects in India — a completely new AGL system, modification of an existing installation, runway rehabilitation, LED conversion, temporary lighting or replacement of ageing equipment. The correct solution depends on the airport, airfield layout, operational requirements, existing infrastructure and applicable project specification.

New airport projectsAirport expansionRunway rehabilitationTaxiway upgradesLED retrofitEmergency & temporary lightingMaintenance & modernisationEquipment replacementTesting & commissioningPhotometric verification
02 · Greenfield Projects

New Airport Projects & Greenfield Design

A new airport provides the opportunity to design the AGL system as an integrated part of the airside infrastructure, coordinated with civil works, electrical infrastructure and runway/taxiway design from the early design stage.

Runways

Edge, threshold, end, centreline, touchdown zone and approach lighting.

Taxiways

Edge & centreline lighting, stop bars, runway guard lights, holding-position and lead-on/off guidance.

Visual Guidance

PAPI / APAPI, airfield sign boards and other approved visual aids.

A typical electrical chain:

Power Supply
CCR
Primary Cable
Primary Connector
Isolating Transformer
Secondary Connector
Light Fixture
03 · Early Design

AGL Design for Greenfield Airports

A greenfield airport allows AGL to be considered during the early design stages, improving coordination between civil works, electrical infrastructure, runway/taxiway design, AGL, control & monitoring, and testing & commissioning. The AGL system should be planned together with the airside civil and electrical infrastructure.

Runway configurationTaxiway geometryCable routes, ducts & manholesTransformer locationsCCR roomControl roomSign locationsFuture expansion
04 · Expansion

Airport Expansion Projects

Airport expansion projects can require modifications to an existing AGL installation — extended without disrupting the operation of existing facilities. Before adding new equipment, the existing CCR, series circuit, cables, transformers, connectors, control and monitoring system should be reviewed to confirm the proposed equipment can operate correctly within the existing system.

New taxiways & standsNew rapid-exit taxiwaysApron expansionNew approach facilitiesAdditional signsNew circuits & CCR modificationsControl-system integration
05 · Runway Rehabilitation

AGL During Runway Rehabilitation

Runway rehabilitation is one of the most significant AGL project applications, because lighting systems are physically integrated with the runway pavement and associated infrastructure.

Existing AGL Survey
Removal
Civil / Pavement Works
AGL Reinstallation
Electrical Testing
Alignment
Photometric Verification
Commissioning
06 · Case Example

Delhi Airport Runway 11R/29L — 2026 Case Example

A current example of large-scale runway rehabilitation is Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. This example demonstrates that runway rehabilitation can involve much more than resurfacing.

Delhi Airport's Runway 11R/29L underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation programme beginning in February 2026, including runway resurfacing, pavement strengthening, a new Rapid Exit Taxiway, ILS work, AGL upgrades and associated civil and electrical improvements.

The rehabilitation involved the removal and reinstallation of around 2,000 AGL fixtures. The upgraded runway returned to operational use on September 20, 2026, after inspections, validation and regulatory clearances.

Delhi Airport's current fact sheet identifies Runway 11R/29L as CAT III and lists it as a 4,430 m runway. AGL work needed to be coordinated across: Pavement → Lighting Fixtures → Electrical Circuits → ILS → Taxiways → Civil Works → Testing → Operational Approval.

07 · Rehabilitation Risk

Runway Rehabilitation AGL Challenges

Rehabilitation projects may involve existing equipment that has been in service for many years. The project team may need to decide, based on inspection and the approved project requirement, which components will be retained, repaired, replaced, upgraded or removed.

Existing fixture conditionDamaged transformersAgeing cablesConnector deteriorationExisting pavement interfacesObsolete equipmentExisting CCR characteristicsExisting control philosophy
08 · Taxiway Rehabilitation

Taxiway Rehabilitation & Upgrade

Taxiway rehabilitation can involve edge and centreline lighting, stop bars, runway guard lights, holding-position lighting and lead-on/lead-off guidance, with work spanning fixture removal, replacement, cable and transformer work, circuit modification, alignment, functional testing and commissioning.

Taxiway edge lightingTaxiway centreline lightingStop barsRunway guard lightsHolding-position lightingLead-on / lead-off guidance
09 · LED Modernisation

LED Retrofit Projects

LED retrofit is an important modernisation application involving replacement of conventional lighting equipment with LED-based fixtures — across runway edge, threshold, end, centreline, touchdown zone, taxiway and approach lighting, plus airfield signs.

LED retrofit is a system-compatibility project, not simply a fixture replacement project.

10 · Compatibility Review

LED Retrofit Assessment

Before replacing existing fixtures, the existing infrastructure should be evaluated before selecting the replacement LED equipment.

CCR

Output current, current steps, load, regulation, protection.

Series Circuit

Circuit arrangement, cable, connected load, existing condition.

Transformer & Connector

Rating, compatibility and condition; primary/secondary connector compatibility.

Control

Local control, remote control, monitoring, ALCMS interface where applicable.

Lighting

Application, photometry, colour / chromaticity, alignment.

11 · Temporary Arrangements

Emergency & Temporary AGL

Temporary and emergency AGL can be required when permanent infrastructure is under construction, under rehabilitation, damaged, unavailable, temporarily isolated or being replaced. The actual arrangement should be established according to the airport's operational and technical requirements.

Runway rehabilitationMajor maintenanceConstruction activitiesEmergency restorationTemporary airfield configurationsTransitional operational arrangements
12 · Portable Systems

Portable AGL Systems

Portable or temporary lighting systems may be used where permanent infrastructure cannot be used or is temporarily unavailable. The suitability of temporary lighting should be determined from the applicable airport operational procedure.

Runway identificationTaxiway guidanceConstruction areasEmergency operationsTemporary movement routes
13 · Modernisation

Maintenance, Modernisation & Equipment Replacement

Maintenance and modernisation projects focus on improving the condition and reliability of existing systems, particularly where an airport wants to improve existing infrastructure without replacing the entire AGL system. A replacement may be required because of failure, damage, age, obsolescence or loss of manufacturer support.

Before selecting a replacement, evaluate the full chain:

Existing Equipment
Electrical Characteristics
Mechanical / Connector Interface
Transformer
Cable
CCR
Control
14 · Runway & Taxiway Scope

Runway, Taxiway & Approach Lighting Applications

These systems can be involved in both new construction and rehabilitation projects, with the exact configuration depending on the approved runway and approach configuration.

Runway edge lightingThreshold lightingRunway end lightingRunway centreline lightingTouchdown zone lightingApproach lightingTaxiway edge & centreline lightsStop barsRunway guard lightsLead-on / lead-off lighting
15 · CAT II / CAT III Projects

CAT II / CAT III Project Applications

CAT II / CAT III projects can require specialised AGL and supporting infrastructure. The exact configuration and serviceability requirements are airport-specific.

Precision approach lightingRunway centreline & touchdown zoneCritical power & UPSStandby DGStop bars & taxiway centrelineControl & monitoring
16 · Electrical & Control Scope

AGL Electrical & Control/Monitoring Projects

Application projects can also focus specifically on electrical infrastructure or on control and monitoring modernisation, with the actual architecture depending on the airport's existing and proposed systems.

CCR

New, replacement or upgraded CCR with control integration.

Transformers & Cable

New / replacement transformers; new cable, cable replacement, repair and jointing.

Connectors

Primary and secondary connectors, L-823 connections where applicable.

Control & Monitoring

Local/remote control, CCR control, circuit monitoring, fault indication, ALCMS integration.

17 · Verification

AGL Photometry, Testing & Commissioning

Testing and commissioning can be required across all major AGL project types — new installation, commissioning, rehabilitation, fixture replacement, LED retrofit and corrective maintenance. The applicable measurement method and acceptance criteria should be taken from the project requirements.

Cable continuity & insulationTransformer & CCR checksFixture & circuit operationControl & monitoringAlignmentPhotometry / colour & chromaticityIntegrated system verificationDocumentation & handover
18 · Beyond Commercial Airports

General Aviation, Heliport & Military Applications

General aviation facilities, heliports and military airfields can also require AGL systems, designed around the specific operational and physical characteristics of the facility and its approved design.

General Aviation

Runway edge & threshold lighting, taxiway lighting, PAPI/APAPI, airfield signs, apron guidance.

Heliports

Landing-area lighting, approach guidance, identification lighting, taxi and stand/parking guidance.

Military Airfields

Runway/taxiway/approach lighting, visual guidance, signs, portable lighting, replacement equipment.

19 · Regional & Commercial Scale

Regional, Commercial & International Airport Projects

Regional airports can require AGL systems designed around reliability, maintainability, equipment availability and future expansion, often through phased upgrades. Large commercial and international airports can involve complex AGL networks spanning multiple runways, extensive taxiways, approach systems and critical power — several AGL disciplines simultaneously.

20 · Project Coordination

Construction Interfaces & Existing Infrastructure

AGL projects interface with civil, electrical, aviation-systems and airside-operations disciplines, and should be coordinated across all of them. For brownfield projects, a site survey should confirm actual conditions before finalising the project solution.

Pavement, ducts & manholesPower, CCRs & earthingILS, RVR & ATC interfacesWork permits & maintenance windowsExisting drawings & circuitsExisting fixtures, transformers & signs
21 · Reference Tools

AGL Project Application Matrix

A quick reference across the major project types and their typical scope and key engineering consideration.

Project TypeTypical AGL ScopeKey Consideration
New airportComplete AGL infrastructureIntegrated design
Airport expansionNew + existing system integrationCompatibility
Runway rehabilitationRemoval / reinstatement / upgradePavement interface
Taxiway upgradeNew or replacement taxiway lightingAirside coordination
LED retrofitConventional-to-LED conversionCCR / transformer / circuit compatibility
Emergency lightingTemporary / portable systemsOperational requirements
MaintenanceInspection / repair / replacementServiceability
ModernisationEquipment and control upgradesExisting-system integration
TestingElectrical / functional / photometricAcceptance criteria
CommissioningIntegrated verificationOperational readiness
22 · New Build vs Retrofit

New Project vs Retrofit

This is why retrofit projects often require more detailed site assessment than a new build.

Requirement
Design
Equipment
Installation
Testing

Retrofit: the existing system becomes part of the engineering problem.

Existing System
Survey
Compatibility
New Equipment
Installation
Testing
23 · Project Lifecycle

AGL Application by Project Stage

AGL support can occur throughout the project lifecycle, from planning through to ongoing operation.

Planning: requirement review, existing-system assessment, concept development
Design: equipment selection, BOQ, technical specifications, compliance
Procurement: technical submittals, product & testing documentation
Construction: installation, technical coordination, inspection
Commissioning: electrical & functional testing, photometry, alignment
Operation: maintenance, troubleshooting, replacement, modernisation
24 · Risk & Documentation

Project Risk Areas & Documentation

Good documentation provides traceability through the complete project, and a structured project review helps identify common risk areas early.

Unknown existing-infrastructure conditionCompatibility mismatchCivil / pavement interfaceUndefined acceptance criteriaIncomplete technical recordsRestricted airside access windowsBOQ & technical specificationsCompliance matrices & test certificatesAs-built drawings & O&M documentation
25 · Precision AGL Solutions

AGL Applications & Project Support

Precision AGL Solutions positions its project capability around specialised AGL applications, equipment knowledge and technical coordination — connecting the product to the actual operational requirement rather than simply supplying a component.

New & Expansion

AGL equipment, technical submittals, BOQ support, system and existing-system coordination.

Rehabilitation

Fixture removal / reinstatement support, replacement components, testing, photometry.

LED Retrofit

LED equipment, compatibility assessment, technical documentation, photometric support.

Emergency & Maintenance

Temporary equipment, spares, fault diagnosis, upgrades and testing.

Key takeaway: each application has a different engineering starting point. For a new airport, the focus is integrated design. For expansion, it's integration with existing infrastructure. For rehabilitation, it's removal, reinstatement, replacement and testing. For LED retrofit, it's system compatibility and photometric performance. For emergency lighting, it's temporary operational requirements. For maintenance, it's serviceability, diagnosis and restoration.

AGL requirements are project-specific. An application or equipment arrangement used at one Indian airport should not automatically be assumed to apply to another — the exact configuration should always be established from the latest applicable airport documentation, approved drawings, technical specification, regulatory requirements and project procedures. The Delhi Runway 11R/29L rehabilitation is a current example, not a universal template for Indian runway projects.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of India AGL projects are typical?
New airport projects, airport expansion, runway rehabilitation, LED retrofit, emergency and temporary lighting, and maintenance and modernisation of existing infrastructure.
What does AGL support during runway rehabilitation involve?
Removal, replacement, reinstatement and testing of AGL during runway rehabilitation, as seen in Delhi Airport's 2026 Runway 11R/29L rehabilitation involving nearly 2,000 AGL fixtures.
When is temporary or emergency AGL lighting needed?
Temporary lighting arrangements support rehabilitation, construction, emergency restoration and other temporary operational requirements.
Is LED retrofit just a fixture swap?
No. LED retrofit is a system-compatibility project — the existing CCR, series circuit, transformers, connectors and control system should be assessed before selecting replacement LED equipment.
What's the difference between a new AGL project and a retrofit?
A new project can be designed as a complete architecture (requirement → design → equipment → installation → testing). A retrofit must first survey and assess compatibility with the existing system before new equipment is introduced.
What documentation is needed for an AGL project?
Depending on scope: BOQ, technical specification, approved drawings, equipment schedules, technical submittals, compliance matrices, test certificates, inspection reports, photometric and commissioning reports, and as-built/O&M documentation.

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