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.“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.
