AAI turns to DGCA on Shiv Murti as trust silent

New Delhi: After asking the trust managing the Shiv Murti near IGI Airport's newest runway to reduce the 263-metre-high statue's height or relocate it in vain, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Friday referred the matter to the aviation regulator for action. Informing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that the statue is 11.5 metres higher than the permitted height of 252.1 metres and causing obstruction to aircraft movement, the AAI has asked the regulator to decide on either reducing the height or relocating the statue.
"All aviation authorities work under powers delegated by DGCA. The no objection certificate (NOC) was issued for a certain height. There has been a violation and now the DGCA will decide on the course of action. The corrective step as recommended by them would be conveyed by the state government for implementation by them," said a senior AAI official, adding that if an obstruction is inside airport premises than they themselves carry out the required alterations.
This action was taken after AAI issued legal notice to the Jaya Shree Trust (that manages the murti) last November. It was followed by another notice earlier this month. But after no response came from the trust, the AAI will now await for word from DGCA on the future course of action.
28/01/11 Saurabh Sinha & Neha Lalchandani/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jan 2011, Safety Jan 2011