Latest news with #BPIA
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Transport dept asks BMC to remove obstructions around BPIA flight path
1 2 Bhubaneswar: After authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) sent consecutive letters flagging concerns about various obstructions along the approach path of flights and urged their removal, the transport department has taken the issue up with the civic body. "As per the requirement of the ministry of civil aviation, it is necessary to remove or trim trees, street lights, poles, and buildings on the approach path of runway 14 and 32 at BPIA for the safe operation of flights, as per height restrictions under the safeguarding of Airport Operations Rules, 2015," read the transport department's letter to the BMC commissioner on July 21. A copy of the letter was also marked to BPIA. The letter also mentioned a joint inspection conducted by BMC and others to identify obstructions and take steps to remove them. The letter mentioned the decision to reduce the height of a high-mast light as a result of the joint inspection. On July 7, BPIA wrote to the civic body flagging concerns about the high-mast light in Jagamara area. The airport authorities stated that no one from BMC obtained the no-objection certificate before installing the high-mast light. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Interested in Investing? Cyprus Offers Many Options Cyprus Invest | Search ads Undo The letter stated, "There are some street electric poles (used and unused) and a high-mast light along runway 14 (Baramunda side) that need to be shortened by at least 5 metres to clear the obstruction. " The light pole is 12m high, equivalent to a four-storey building. BPIA has requested a reduction in its height by 5m. After the Ahmedabad air crash, BPIA has been addressing the obstruction issue to ensure the safety of aircraft. BMC additional commissioner Suvendu Sahu said the area where the trees are located belongs to the general administration (GA) department. "We have fixed a meeting with GA officials to decide on the removal of obstructions. Regarding the street light, we will take it up with the electrical wing," said Sahu.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
BPIA writes to civic body on high mast light obstructing flights' path
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik International Airport's (BPIA) authorities have drawn the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation's (BMC) attention to a high mast light in Jagamara that has been identified as an obstruction along flights' approach path. In a letter to BMC, airport officials stated that no one from the civic body obtained clearance (NOC) from them before installing the light. "There are some street electric poles (used and unused) and a high mast light along runway 14 (Baramunda side) which need to be shortened by at least five metres to clear the obstruction. Going by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015, it is necessary to remove or trim trees, light poles and buildings on the approach path of runways 14 and 32," BPIA's director Prasanna Pradhan stated in the letter, which was sent to BMC to July 11. " by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Speed up your Mac and free up storage with Space Lens MacPaw Read More Undo The safety inspection team at the airport identified the high mast light as an obstruction. Previously, a joint inspection team, which included representatives from the general administration department, Airports Authority of India, BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority and the revenue department, also found some obstructions and took pictures," airport director Prasanna Pradhan told TOI on Tuesday. Rakesh Sahoo, BMC junior engineer (electrical), said, 'Whether there was clearance for the pole to be erected along the landing path is under verification." We will consult with senior officers to determine the next course of action." BPIA has been emphasising the need to cut trees, demolish unauthorised buildings and trim tall trees on the land of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), in addition to addressing the high mast light issue. Earlier, BPIA authorities had sought BMC's help in cutting down three coconut trees of Nilakantheswar temple which had posed obstruction to a plane's approach. Last month in the aftermath of the Air India plane crash in Gujarat, the civic body cut down the trees.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Illegal' market complex along flight path yet to be razed: Officials
Bhubaneswar: An unauthorised two-storey market complex in Jagamara, which falls along the approach path of flights at Biju Patnaik International Airport, is yet to be demolished despite repeated reminders to the civic authorities, BPIA officials said. 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.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Proposed T3 terminal at city airport to have arrival & departure facilities
Bhubaneswar: Authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here have dropped the plan of segregated arrival and departure in two terminals (T1 & T3) and have decided to redesign the proposed T3 terminal into a standalone integrated facility. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now T-3 will be built over a 65,000 sqm area and will be able to handle 86 lakh flyers annually and 3,000 in an hour during peak time. An integrated terminal has departure and arrival facilities in one building. "In a meeting with stakeholders, we decided that it (T3) will be designed to handle both arrivals and departures. Segregation would have brought difficulties in handling passengers and other operations at both lounges," said BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan. "There is land available for the project in the operational area and close to the T1 building. There are altogether 18 aprons for aircraft to enter bays, but after the T3 is built, six more aerobridges will be required," he added. Officials privy to the development said the cost estimate for the project could touch Rs 1,000 crore. "The project estimate has been done. Now it needs to be passed to the board to start the project," an official said. The city airport had only one terminal before 2013, with the old domestic terminal converted into the international terminal (T2). In March 2013, a new state-of-the-art domestic terminal was constructed at a cost of Rs 145 crore on a modular pattern to allow further expansion. It can handle around 1,000 flyers at a time. Officials said that considering the air traffic, passenger comfort and commercial activities, the design of the new terminal will be finalised. Currently, the airport witnesses a daily footfall of more than 15,000. Five domestic destinations — Patna, Lucknow, Kochi, Jaipur, Dehradun and Indore — were recently added. Other cities directly connected with Bhubaneswar are Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Ranchi, Allahabad, Hyderabad, Raipur, Varanasi and Ahmedabad.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
‘Passenger footfall expected to reach 15 million by 2035'
The busiest airport in Odisha – and the only one operating international flights in the state – BPIA's annual passenger footfall is expected to grow further from 4.8 million annually in the near future. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Riyan Ramanath speaks to BPIA's director, Prasanna Pradhan, as the airport adopts new technology and safety measures to keep up with the changing times. Excerpts: BPIA has been adopting all types of modern avionics to keep pace with changing aviation requirements. What are the airport's future plans in terms of use of technology? BPIA has been steadily adopting modern technologies to enhance operational efficiency and safety. Considering the traffic volume and complexity of air traffic, BPIA is equipped with all types of modern communication, navigation and surveillance systems to provide Air Traffic Control Service to aircraft operating from/to Bhubaneswar airport. Safety and security of passengers has been a concern in view of the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. What are the lessons that BPIA needs to learn and where does it need to take corrective measures? In view of the recent plane crash, BPIA has already conducted a safety review/audit of aircraft operation by a committee constituting all operational heads. The airport fire station is prepared to handle any accident. We have also updated the airport emergency plan. How is BPIA prepared to tackle bird strikes? A trained bird and wildlife hazard control team operates throughout the day at the airport as it monitors and patrols areas like the runway, taxiways and apron. Frequent runway and airfield inspections are conducted to spot and remove things that often attract birds like food, water or nesting areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Awareness drives are also conducted in surrounding areas of the airport to discourage practices that attract birds. How do you see the safety apparatus of small airports and airstrips in Odisha? As far as safety is concerned, all airports comply with DGCA's regulation standards. How do you see the passenger footfall growing in the next 10 years? BPIA handles over 4.8 million passengers annually right now and with a rising middle class, a boom in tourism, increase in business travel and growth in mining, steel, IT, health and education sectors, the number is expected to increase further. As per our projection, the annual passenger footfall is expected to reach 15 million by 2035. The airport's domestic connectivity is strong and annually growing at 16% and though international flights are limited at the moment, they are increasing.
