Bhubaneswar Airport Authorities Raise Alarm Over Illegal Structures Violating Aviation Safety Norms
Authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar have issued a stern warning after discovering that mobile towers and an overhead water tank in the Baramunda area have been constructed within the obstacle limitation surface (OLS), blatantly flouting civil aviation height regulations and creating significant safety hazards for aircraft operations.
Formal Complaints Filed with Multiple Government Departments
In response to these alarming violations, airport officials have written urgent letters to both the housing and urban development department and the transport department, strongly urging them to take immediate action to reduce the height of the structures that are dangerously positioned within the airport's funnel area. The correspondence was also marked to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), given that its commissioner chairs the crucial airport environment management committee (AEMC).
Detailed Survey Reveals Multiple Infractions
BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan, in his detailed communication to housing and urban development secretary Usha Padhee, explicitly stated, "During a recent comprehensive survey of the airport surrounding area conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), it was observed that certain structures — including buildings, towers, trees, poles, chimneys, and tanks — were penetrating into the OLS. This constitutes a clear contravention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restriction for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015. Your immediate intervention is requested to reduce the height of the mentioned structures to ensure aviation safety."
Specific Violations Identified in Baramunda Colony
Airport sources provided specific details about the violations, revealing that multiple mobile towers have been erected on the roofs of houses in Baramunda colony. These towers stand at a height that is 4-5 meters above the permissible limit within the critical funnel area. Additionally, an overhead water tank in the same vicinity was found to be a staggering 7 meters higher than the allowed height, further exacerbating the safety risks.
Director Pradhan emphasized that these structures were constructed without obtaining the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) from the airport authorities. "The structures were erected without obtaining a no-objection certificate. BPIA was not kept in the loop before the local authorities accorded permission for construction. We have provided exhaustive details of the structures and their precise coordinates to facilitate corrective measures," Pradhan added.
Mandatory NOC Process Bypassed
Officials clarified that obtaining the airport's NOC is a compulsory prerequisite for receiving construction approval from the BMC. However, in the case of these problematic structures in Baramunda, this critical step was completely bypassed, leading to unauthorized constructions that now threaten aviation safety.
Limited Enforcement Powers of Airport Authorities
Pradhan further explained that the airport itself lacks the legal authority to serve demolition notices or enforce removal orders under existing regulations. This responsibility falls squarely within the mandate of the BMC, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and, in certain instances, the general administration department. An airport official stressed, "There should not be any infringement on the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of the airport, as these are vital for safe takeoffs and landings."
Municipal Corporation's Response and Ongoing Actions
BMC officials have acknowledged the issue and indicated that some preliminary steps have already been taken. After previously cutting down coconut trees that posed obstructions, enforcement actions are now being pursued to address other tall trees along the airport's approach path. BMC commissioner Chanchal Rana stated, "We are committed to ensuring aviation safety and will take necessary steps to remove more obstructions in coordination with relevant authorities."
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in urban planning and regulatory compliance around critical infrastructure like airports, where unauthorized constructions can have severe consequences for public safety.
