Airport to move BMC to remove obstructions on flight path

Time of India

2 days ago

Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) authorities have again decided to urge Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to cut down three coconut trees on Nilakantheswar Temple premises in Jagamara and remove unauthorised structure that pose a threat to flights on their approach paths towards the airport here.
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A nearby water body also attracts birds posing a similar threat. "The coconut trees and unauthorized structure come along the approach path of flights. We had taken up the issue with civic authorities and now we will make another request to carry out demolition," said BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan.
"During landing and take off, birds that flutter out of the trees, fly close to the aircraft nose, fuselage, windshield, and engine.
This can be dangerous for the aircraft and the flight may crash," an airport officials said.
A team from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found these obstructions unfit to operationalise the instrument landing system (ILS) cat-2 on the runway and hence refused approval. "Until these obstructions are removed, DGCA nod can't be obtained," said Pradhan.
BPIA authorities recently surveyed the area jointly with BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), general administration department, and police.
"Several shops, electricity poles, and shops also lie close to the approach line of runway-14, which infringe upon the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of the airport," airport officials said.
BMC commissioner Rajesh Patil said they would soon take steps to cut the trees if they are causing obstructions. "There is a dedicated committee for decisions on taking steps for safety of planes. The airport has let us know about some obstructions.
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We also jointly conducted a survey in which Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) is a party. All stakeholders need to cooperate," he told TOI.
Recently, BPIA operationalised a parallel taxi track (PTT) and rapid exit taxiway (RET). The new twin facilities will enhance the airport's operational efficiency by enabling faster aircraft movement and reducing runway occupancy time. The additions will help minimise flight delays and passenger waiting time by allowing quick aircraft exit from the runway, airport officials said.