Coconut trees felled on Bhubaneswar airport's flight path
2
Bhubaneswar: The coconut trees that had posed as an obstruction to a plane's approach at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) have been finally felled by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The three coconut trees were cut down days after TOI had flagged the issue in the aftermath of the Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad, highlighting the fact that unauthorised structures and coconut trees of Nilakantheswar Temple could pose a threat to flights landing towards the Jagamara-Khandagiri end of the runway.
For several months, BPIA had sought the BMC's help in cutting down the trees. "The coconut trees were cut by BMC's enforcement squad, but there are still banyan trees and an unauthorised market building.
I hope the civic authorities will take up the matter seriously and carry out enforcement," BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan said.
Kajal Pradhan, BMC deputy commissioner, admitted that some trees are still to be cut. "We have taken note of all the trees that can cause obstruction. We will cut them as well and prune some located at a distance," she told TOI.
On June 14, BPIA had once again urged the BMC to cut the coconut trees.
As per the BPIA missive, birds perched on the trees would at times fly onto the path of the aircraft and hit its nose, fuselage, windshield and engine during landing and take-off. This posed a potential threat to the aircraft and passenger safety, airport officials said.
Earlier, BPIA officials said they were not able to implement the instrument landing system (ILS) CAT-II on the runway because the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had put the approval on hold owing to the obstructions.
"Even before the trees were cut, we had made some alternative technical arrangements for the workability of the CAT-II facility. But it is good that the coconut trees have been finally removed," Pradhan said.
BPIA authorities had recently surveyed the area along with officials of BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), general administration department and police. BPIA sources said several shops and electric poles also lie close to the approach line of runway-14, which infringe on the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of the airport.
Bhubaneswar: The coconut trees that had posed as an obstruction to a plane's approach at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) have been finally felled by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The three coconut trees were cut down days after TOI had flagged the issue in the aftermath of the Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad, highlighting the fact that unauthorised structures and coconut trees of Nilakantheswar Temple could pose a threat to flights landing towards the Jagamara-Khandagiri end of the runway.
For several months, BPIA had sought the BMC's help in cutting down the trees. "The coconut trees were cut by BMC's enforcement squad, but there are still banyan trees and an unauthorised market building. I hope the civic authorities will take up the matter seriously and carry out enforcement," BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan said.
Kajal Pradhan, BMC deputy commissioner, admitted that some trees are still to be cut. "We have taken note of all the trees that can cause obstruction.
We will cut them as well and prune some located at a distance," she told TOI.
On June 14, BPIA had once again urged the BMC to cut the coconut trees. As per the BPIA missive, birds perched on the trees would at times fly onto the path of the aircraft and hit its nose, fuselage, windshield and engine during landing and take-off. This posed a potential threat to the aircraft and passenger safety, airport officials said.
Earlier, BPIA officials said they were not able to implement the instrument landing system (ILS) CAT-II on the runway because the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had put the approval on hold owing to the obstructions.
"Even before the trees were cut, we had made some alternative technical arrangements for the workability of the CAT-II facility. But it is good that the coconut trees have been finally removed," Pradhan said.
BPIA authorities had recently surveyed the area along with officials of BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), general administration department and police. BPIA sources said several shops and electric poles also lie close to the approach line of runway-14, which infringe on the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of the airport.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
SSC SI and CAPF answer key 2025 released at ssc.gov.in: Direct link to download here
SSC SI and CAPF answer key 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued the final answer keys for the Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2024 (CAPF, Paper-II), along with candidates' response sheets which is also called CPO. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aspirants can access both documents on the official SSC website, until August 29, 2025. The release comes a week after the SSC CPO Paper-II results were declared on August 8. The Commission has urged candidates to download and print their answer keys and response sheets within the stipulated period, warning that the files will not be available for retrieval after the deadline. According to SSC, the marks of both qualified and non-qualified candidates will be uploaded to the Commission's portal shortly. The Paper-II examination was held on March 8, 2025, with an additional test conducted on April 30, 2025, for 59 candidates. For shortlisting to the Medical Examination, the Commission applied the minimum qualifying marks criteria—UR: 30% (60 marks), OBC/EWS: 25% (50 marks), and all other categories: 20% (40 marks)—without factoring in bonus marks for NCC certificate holders. SSC SI and CAPF final answer key 2025 : Steps to download Candidates can follow the steps mentioned here to download the SSC SI, CAPF final answer key 2025 from the official website: Visit the official website, Click on the final answer key link for the relevant examination on the homepage. Open the PDF and follow the link provided at the bottom. Log in using your registered ID and password. Alternatively, candidates can click on the link provided to download the SSC SI and CAPF answer key 2025. Candidates are advised to stay tuned to the official website to get the complete details of the SSC SI recruitment process. The SSC CPO Paper-II is a crucial stage in the multi-tier recruitment process for Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces, determining candidates' eligibility for the medical round.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SC nod for removing 95 trees at Aarey for GMLR tunnelling work
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the decks for tunnelling work to begin as part of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, including allowing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to remove 95 trees from the protected Aarey forest, which serves as a green lung for Mumbai. Mumbai, India. Sep 28, 2024: General view of Aarey forest, also known as Aarey Colony, one of the few remaining green spaces in Mumbai. Mumbai India. Sep 28, 2024. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times) A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order after it was informed that the Maharashtra State Tree Authority has directed the BMC to undertake compensatory afforestation of 1,344 trees to make up for the 70 trees to be felled and 25 to be translocated due to the infrastructure project. In addition, the BMC submitted expert studies showing that the present road alignment of the GMLR project involved the least felling of trees. While approving the compensatory afforestation plan, the bench further directed the BMC to ensure geotagging of the trees to be planted. It also sought a report from the Mumbai Conservator of Forests on the status of trees planted as part of compensatory afforestation measures undertaken in the past. The matter has been posted for hearing after six weeks. On July 29, the top court had permitted the project to go ahead but restrained the BMC from carrying out tree felling until it reviews an alternate possible alignment and the compensatory afforestation plan. Advocate Dhruv Mehta, appearing for the BMC, presented detailed reports of experts from IIT Bombay, among others, suggesting that the present alignment will entail cutting down 1,134 trees, which will cause the least damage to the environment and local ecosystem. The BMC had to approach the Supreme Court in view of its January 2025 order, which prohibits the tree authority from processing any request for felling of trees in the Aarey forest region. As part of the first phase of the project, 95 trees are required to be cut or translocated for the construction of a 6.62-kilometre-long underground tunnel road. These trees, according to BMC, are situated at Film City, a region close to the Aarey forest belt. The chopping of trees was required to make space for the heavy tunnel boring machine. Permitting the tree authority to fell 70 trees and transplant 25 others, the bench said, 'We are satisfied that the project proponent has come to the conclusion that no other route alternative other than this route is based on expert opinion.' The court also heard individuals and organisations opposing any further felling of trees in Aarey forest and considered their objections. Advocates Pooja Dhar and Srishti Agnihotri told the court that the top court had, in October 2019 and April 2023, directed the state government to provide the status of the trees planted while undertaking development works requiring chopping or translocation of Aarey forest trees. Further, it was pointed out that under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection & Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, the state is required to carry out geotagging of trees and afforestation by planting trees of suitable species. The court ordered the state to strictly adhere to all statutory requirements and directed the Conservator of Forests, Mumbai, to prepare a report on the status of plantation carried out under compensatory afforestation. On an earlier date, the court had stressed the need for development works to be undertaken. 'We are all for protecting the environment, but sustainable development is also necessary. We have to be also concerned about the millions of citizens who will benefit from this,' it had said. The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road is expected to connect the Eastern Express Highway and the Western Express Highway, and reduce travel time between Goregaon and Mulund by over one hour.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
In a first, BMC issues SOP for retrieval and transportation of immersed Ganpati idols
Mumbai: For the first time ever, the BMC has issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for the retrieval and transportation of immersed Ganpati idols, particularly those made of Plaster of Paris (PoP), in line with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. The civic body acted following the Bombay High Court directive issued on July 24. "Bombay High Court, in its recent orders dated July 24, 2025, and directives, explicitly emphasised the need for an expert scientific committee to suggest methods for the reuse and recycling of PoP idols. The same is under consideration; however, it will take some time. In view of the above, the following SOP, along with CPCB guidelines, shall be applied to the process of retrieval of immersed idols at the zone level and transportation to the C&D Waste Processing Facility at Daighar, Shilphata," stated the civic circular. The SOP, applicable across all city zones, mandates that idols must be retrieved from temporary tanks or water bodies within 24 hours of immersion, either manually or using cranes and mechanised lifts, depending on size. Detailed records of all idols retrieved and transported are to be maintained by each ward. Transportation of idols to the BMC's construction and demolition waste processing facility at Daighar, Shilphata, will follow ward-wise rates: Rs 9,628 per 12-hour shift for the city and western suburbs divisions, and Rs 8,788 for eastern suburbs. The cost includes labour for loading and unloading, fuel, tolls, and other incidentals. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai Other guidelines state the idols must be drained of excess water before transport, vehicles thoroughly cleaned, and loading/unloading carried out with full safety protocols. Closed-body or flat-bed trucks with tarpaulin coverings must be used, and designated non-peak transport routes followed to avoid congestion. Guidelines mandate weighbridge entries at the processing facility, photographic and videographic documentation for court submissions, and daily progress reporting. Payments will not be made for trips without weighbridge records. The BMC has instructed assistant municipal commissioners and ward engineers to closely monitor operations, ensure cleanliness drives, and maintain detailed logs as per formats to be issued by the chief engineer (solid waste management). The HC last month ruled that all PoP Ganpati idols up to 6 feet must be immersed in artificial water tanks until March 2026, to curb pollution in natural water bodies. The earlier state rule applied this mandate only to idols up to 5 feet. The court has also asked the govt to explore larger artificial tanks to accommodate idols up to 8 feet, especially for big mandals, and to set up an expert committee within a month to find ways to reuse and recycle PoP idols. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
