Tragedy sparks aviation cop debate

New Delhi: The Mangalore air tragedy just eight days ago has renewed a debate on the need for an aviation regulator with sufficient independence.
At present, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) undertakes regulatory functions on all aspects of civil aviation. It is headed by a bureaucrat who works in close proximity with the government.
There have been demands from within the government that the office of the DGCA be brought under a larger quasi-judicial regulatory body such as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the US.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations agency that outlines the principles and techniques of navigation, had also called upon its member nations to set up an autonomous body soon.
A senior plan panel adviser said, “We have always supported an independent regulator for the aviation sector.”
However, the civil aviation ministry prefers just an airport regulator and not an entity on all aspects of aviation.
Several ministries as well as the Planning Commission are keen on a regulator with more powers covering the whole sector.
The DGCA head works under the aegis of the civil aviation ministry and has limited independence. Besides, the directorate often lacks sufficient number of experts in various aviation fields.
The DGCA’s dismal performance has drawn flak from the US regulator, which last year threatened to downgrade India from Category 1 to Category 2 state. This means India will be positioned with countries such as Guyana, Serbia and Ukraine in aviation safety measures, below the standards for Pakistan and China.
31/05/10 Jayanta Roy Chowdhury/The Telegraph

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Categories: Safety May 2010