‘Illegal' market complex along flight path yet to be razed: Officials
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Tall trees around the area are also posing as obstructions during aircraft landing.
Officials said getting a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the airport authorities is mandatory to get approval of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation for any construction. But in the case of the complex, no NOC was obtained, they said.
"We flagged our concerns several times before the city authorities. They have so far cut three coconut trees.
But the two-storey building is completely illegal," said airport director Prasanna Pradhan.
He further said the airport is not empowered to serve notice and order demolition as per existing rules, and it is the mandate of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and in some cases, the general administration department.
"The Centre issued draft rules to regulate and remove obstructions such as buildings and trees that interfere with aircraft.
The draft Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees, etc.) Rules, 2025, were released under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. It was in the public domain for 21 days for feedback. It is likely to be passed in Parliament very soon, after which airport authorities will be empowered to remove obstructions.
This will reduce the cumbersome process of moving multiple agencies," Pradhan added.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC) pointed out the obstructions and safety issues. The BMC commissioner chairs the AEMC meeting. BPIA authorities recently surveyed the area jointly with officials of BMC, BDA, general administration department, and police. "There should not be any infringement on the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of the airport," an airport official said.
"After cutting the coconut trees, other tall trees along the airport's approach path will be felled," said BMC commissioner Rajesh Patil. "We are taking steps to remove more obstructions. The building owners will also be served a notice," he added.
During landing and takeoff, birds flutter from trees as high as to hit an aircraft nose, fuselage, windshield and engine, which can pose potential danger to flights and may end in a crash, airport officials said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2025: All about damage compensation and how to apply
PMFBY Last Date: As July brings heavy rainfall to large parts of India, farmers enter a critical phase of the agricultural calendar with the sowing of paddy and other Kharif crops. But while the rains are essential, extreme weather events like floods, droughts, or pest attacks can spell disaster for standing crops. The government of India has announced 31st July as the deadline to enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PM Crop Insurance Scheme) 2025. Farmers are urged to complete their registration without delay. To safeguard farmers against such risks, PMFBY offers vital financial protection through crop insurance and compensation. PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2025 Last Date: The government of India has announced 31st July as the deadline to enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana , What is PMFBY? The Indian government's flagship crop insurance program, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, was introduced in 2016. By compensating for crop losses and maintaining financial stability in the face of agricultural uncertainty, it seeks to assist farmers. In collaboration with state governments and insurance providers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare oversees the program's implementation. The government subsidises the remaining premium. Farmers pay a small premium under PMFBY: • 2% for Kharif crops • 1.5% for Rabi crops • 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. Who can apply for PMFBY 2025? • Unless they choose to opt out, loanee farmers (who have availed of loans for seasonal crops) are automatically registered. • Before the deadline, non-loanee farmers need to register. • Wide protection across the state's varied soil and climate conditions is guaranteed by this diverse crop coverage. This Kharif season, the farmers can insure crops including paddy, arhar, groundnut, jowar, moong, soybean, maize, urad, sesame, and bajra. How to register for PM Fasal Bima Yojana Kharif 2025? • Go to the official website at • Finish the registration with Aadhaar and mobile details. • Enter the crop and bank details. • Submit the form and get coverage. What are the documents required for PMFBY Kharif 2025? • Aadhaar Card • Bank Passbook • Sowing Declaration (crop and area) • Land Ownership Records (Khatauni). How to Claim PMFBY crop insurance? A claim must be filed within 72 hours if a farmer's standing crop is harmed within 14 days of harvesting or as a result of rain, drought, flooding, or pest attacks. Farmers can submit claims by using: • Krishi Rakshak Portal • Helpline number 14447 • Crop Insurance App After the claim is submitted: • A joint survey will be held by the insurance company and agriculture officials. • The crop insurance claim form will be completed during the visit. • After the verification, the compensation will be transferred to the farmer's bank account within 2 months. Why must farmers register in PMFBY 2025? Unpredictable weather, pest attacks, or natural disasters can ruin months of work. As a safety net, PMFBY provides farmers with financial support and peace of mind so they may recover and reinvest in the next growing season. Given Uttar Pradesh's substantial contribution to India's food production, this program promotes the objective of a self-sufficient Bharat and fortifies the foundation of rural prosperity. Farmers in other states should also be aware that July 31 is often the deadline; for precise information, visit the website of your state government.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
HC's extended deadline ends today, bakeries fight to keep flame alive
Mumbai: In a bylane of Nagpada's Madanpura, Shaikh Sajid Ali sits on a wooden bench, watching workers dismantle the heart of his century-old Central Bakery: a dome-shaped, wood-fired oven that used to bake over 2,000 pavs a day. For a month now, the bhatti has stayed cold. "We're buying pav from outside to sell, but the taste is different. Customers can tell," he says. Lined with firebricks and coated in a jaggery-fenugreek-mud paste, the oven once radiated a consistency passed down through generations—a tradition now under threat. Following Bombay HC's directive to get bakeries running on wood, coal and diesel to shift to green fuel alternatives in six months, BMC issued notices to hundreds of bakeries across the city. But what was meant to be a clean transition turned into a courtroom battle. HC's extended deadline for compliance ends on Monday. A few lanes from Central Bakery, Indian Bakery still clings to its wood-fired setup. Opened in 1939 by Mirza Tafazzul Baig, the bakery is now run by his grandson, Mirza Gayas Baig, a petitioner in the HC case. He's already booked a gas oven, waiting for a pipeline that's yet to arrive. "MGL has come and done four surveys. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Search and Discover search Search Now Still, no connection," he says. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Baig asserts that electric ovens are not viable—either commercially or functionally —making them an impractical choice for traditional bakeries like his. "You need strong, steady heat to bake pav. Electric doesn't give that. And if I charge Rs 8 for one pav, customers will stop buying." Safety is another concern. "You can't store 25 LPG cylinders in a small lane," says Baig. Ali says the entire setup—oven, wiring and installation—will cost him Rs 15-20 lakh. With every day of closure, he loses loyal customers, and pav that once had "soul" is now outsourced. "Same shape, same weight, but it goes chewy in a few hours," he says. To some, the transition to clean fuel was more organic. "The smoke from our chimney was bothering people," says Shesh Narayanan of the 80-year-old Navsagar Hindu Bakery in Lower Parel who made the switch voluntarily two years ago. His new gas-fired oven cost him over Rs 2.5 lakh and his daily LPG expense now stands at Rs 1,680. "If we get piped gas, our costs would be halved," he says, noting that 2-3kg of gas is consumed just to heat up the oven. While BMC surveyed 573 bakeries as of Oct 2024, insiders estimate Mumbai has 1,500-2,000, most of them unlicensed. Of those surveyed, 311 still use traditional fuels. Infrastructure remains a bottleneck. MGL has surveyed 500 bakeries and found 97 suitable for pipelines, but only 12 are actually using PNG, as per the minutes of a July 3 meeting BMC held with bakers' associations. "Some bakeries are in lanes where even an ambulance can't enter," says M Yaqub, who heads one such association. "How will MGL dig there?" MGL officials were unavailable for comment. The issue goes back to court on Monday. Bakery associations have sought more time and a phased rollout, not just for gas lines and safety clearances but also to place bulk oven orders. "You can't find 500-600 new ovens. Manufacturers don't have that kind of stock," says Ali. There is a central scheme that promises loans of up to Rs 1 crore with a 35% subsidy, capped at Rs 10 lakh. But the application process is dense. "They want rent agreements, PAN, Aadhaar, FSSAI licence and more. And the payment doesn't come to us. It goes directly to GST-registered vendors. Most of us don't even have GST," says Baig. The deeper challenge is structural: small, family-run bakeries often operate on paper-thin margins, with informal staffing and little digital footprint. "These are small bakeries," says Yaqub. "No one's denying the pollution, but the switch can't happen overnight, without support."
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
One year after contractor approval, green nod for Madh-Versova bridge
Mumbai: Almost a year after issuing a letter of acceptance to the contractor, the BMC has obtained an NOC from the Union environment ministry for the proposed Madh-Versova bridge. The civic body now has to seek approval from the Bombay High Court, as the project will impact 2.3 hectares of protected mangroves -- a mandatory step for any construction in ecologically sensitive zones. "The exact number of mangroves affected is yet to be determined. Once all approvals are in place, the work order will be issued," a BMC official said. The total contract cost stands at Rs 2,395 crore, comprising Rs 1,990 crore for civil works, Rs 39.89 crore for operations and maintenance over three years, and Rs 365.36 crore as GST (18%). T he planned cable-stayed flyover will span 2.06 km, connecting Madh island to Versova by crossing over the Madh creek. Currently, the two areas are linked by a ferry service, with no direct road access. Motorists must take lengthy detours via Link Road, SV Road or Western Express Highway, often facing travel times exceeding 45 minutes during peak hours. The bridge is expected to cut commute times by 40 to 60 minutes. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Environmentalists have voiced strong objections, citing the destruction of natural stormwater buffers. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta said, "In the 1991 Development Plan, this was designated as a no-development zone (NDZ). However, the 2034 DP introduced a road network that includes the Madh-Versova bridge. This move will systematically destroy natural habitats and will burden local infrastructure beyond its capacity. "
