Illegal brick kilns around Airport

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 15: The High Court was informed today that the authorities have shut down the brick kilns in 8 kilometer radius around Srinagar Airport while they have failed to close down illegal brick kilns operating in the area.
High Court has been informed that all those registered brick kilns, which were within 8 kilometers of peripheral limits of airport, have been closed as per Court directions. However, Court has been informed that some illegal kilns are still operating in the area which has also been brought into the notice of Deputy Commissioner Budgam but he is unable to take action.
It is Indian Air Force who was supposed to conduct an aerial survey of area to find out whether these brick kilns are affecting the landing of aircraft as the Court was informed that some brick kilns are active in funnel area and the smoke emitted from these kilns reduces the visibility and the fact has been brought to the notice of Airport Director, DC Budgam and Divisional commissioner Kashmir to relocate such brick kilns.”
Meanwhile, shifting the responsibilities on each other with regard to execution of work of Srinagar Airport,  High Court sought instructions from the concerned authorities within four days so that appropriate orders are passed.
Airport Authority of India was required to set up the Simple Approach Lighting System (SALS) at Srinagar International Airport within a time frame so that visibility is improved for smooth air service but today the Counsel appearing for Ministry of Civil Aviation submitted before the Court that it is Ministry of Defence, which has to execute the work and release the funds.
During the arguments of the case, counsels representing these departments shifted the responsibility on each other which prompted the Court to defer hearing of the case.
“On considering the reports, a situation has created which gives rise to the impression that there is no solution to the problem insight. Keeping in view the status report as filed by respondent no.2 is suggestive of the fact that the MES had to take all necessary measures for resolving the problem by executing the work”, Division Bench of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said and granted four days to all the concerned for settling the issue so that effective directions in this regard be passed to the authorities.
Advocate Tahir Shamsi (ASGI) representing Ministry of Defence sought time so that the confusion is resolved. “Before, we pass further directions we defer this case to be taken up on December 19 again so as to enable ASGI to have instructions”, the DB said.
Hearing suo-moto cognizance initiated by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and thereafter treated as public interest by the then Chief Justice of the State in view of public interest involved in the matter, the Court had directed the AAI to launch the SALS with a time frame as per the affidavit of AAI.
The suo-moto cognizance was taken when Court found that the Airport Authority of India has, prima facie, failed to take notice of hardships and difficulties being regularly faced by the people, who travel to and fro Kashmir by air.
Pertinently by setting up the SLAS the visibility be reduced from 1300 meters to 1000 meters. The Simple Light Approach System (SLAS) will be set up on 300 meters of land and further 600 meters of land shall be provided after having feasibility assessment by AAI.
Advocate Syed Musaib, who is appearing as Amicus to the PIL, submitted before the court that it was because of poor visibility that about 24 flights have been cancelled last week.
SALS is being installed for runway-31 as 300 meter land which is available within airport boundary wall from threshold and runway-31 has to be relocated as per Court directions  as its area has been reduced.

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