Highrise hindrance on flight path

Calcutta: Highrises are mushrooming around the airport in violation of aviation safety rules, posing a threat to residents as well as fliers.
The rules stipulate that only single-storey buildings can be constructed within 2-3km of the airport. But a recent survey by Metro revealed that there are at least 12-15 highrise apartment blocks and several private multi-storey buildings under construction within 2km of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
The areas where rules are violated the most include Kaikhali, on VIP Road, and Michaelnagar, on Jessore Road.
In the recent past, the ground proximity warning system of at least three aircraft preparing to land had gone off, hinting at obstacles on or near the flight paths. Sources said several pilots approaching the airport to land had reported having sighted tall buildings close to the flight paths.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials in Calcutta pleaded helplessness about the potential encroachments on flight paths as no safety survey has been undertaken for the past five years. The survey, by the AAI’s cartography department, is supposed to be conducted every two-three years at all airports.
Apart from the highrises, four building with cellphone towers installed on their terraces were spotted in Michaelnagar, Jessore Road, Kaikhali and Sukantanagar, all within 2km of the airport.
The municipal authorities blamed the mushrooming of highrises on the AAI. “The builders approach us with no-objection certificates from the AAI and we have no option but give our consent,” said Sachindra Mohan Sarkar, the chairman of North Dum Dum Municipality.
The chairman of Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipality, Tapas Chatterjee, asserted he did not allow any construction in the vicinity of the airport without the AAI’s consent.
03/03/09 Tamaghna Banerjee/The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports Mar 2009, Safety Mar 2009