Airport skyline now under watch

Ranchi: To ensure the much-awaited expansion of the capital’s airport isn’t held up any longer, a high-powered team has been formed to keep a hawk’s eye on obstacles within a 20km radius of the Birsa Munda Airport.
The team, comprising senior officials of the Survey of India, Airports Authority of India (AAI); Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) and the district administration has been entrusted to conduct “continuous surveillance” of the area to ensure that no objectionable structures or tree plantations come up in the vicinity.
The formation of the team is the logical culmination of a recent directive of the Union civil aviation ministry whereby the Airports Authority of India has been vested with the powers to ensure that the approach to the airport, especially from the tarmac within a 20km radius is kept free of obstacles.
The state government, the aviation ministry circular stated, would henceforth be responsible for taking action against those constructing apartment blocks, towers or installations such as chimneys, around the airport in violation of the provisions of the Aircraft Act, 1934. A meeting to finalise the committee was held on Monday under the chairmanship of the secretary, urban development department, Shailesh Kumar Singh. Senior officials of the Airports Authority of India, Ranchi — including airport director A.V. Krishna — Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), RRDA, and the district administration were also present.
Initially the team would conduct a survey within a 2km radius of the airport which was the most critical area on aircraft flying path. This was scheduled to be completed within 15 days.
16/09/08 Aneeta Sharma/The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports Sep 2008