Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 18: The High Court today directed Deputy Commissioner Budgam to submit his survey data regarding the land which is to be used for installation of approach lights by Airport Authority of India (AAI) at International Airport in Srinagar.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the DC Budgam to submit the said data within a period of one week.
Airport Authority of India submitted before the Court that a committee was constituted and they visited the airport for two days and carried out site survey in coordination with Indian Air Force (IAF).
They submitted that the surveyed data for the lower land beyond boundary wall was yet to be received from the DC concerned and, as such, feasibility report for utilizing the said land for installation of CAT-I approach lights will be submitted after the surveyed data is received from DC.
Meanwhile, Court directed the AAI to install the Simple Approach Light System (SALS) for runway-31 as 300 meter land is available within airport boundary wall from threshold. Court directed for completing this exercise immediately. Court also directed for relocation of runway-31 as its area has been reduced.
The issue involved in the PIL has been initiated by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and thereafter the then Chief Justice of the State had directed the issue involved be treated as suo-moto in view of public interest. While taking cognizance of the issue, Justice Magrey noticed 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 & fro Kashmir by air.
With regard to feasibility of ILs and approach light for runway 13 court has been informed that the committee visited the probable sites for installation of ILS components which includes ‘Localizer and Glide Path/DME for assessing if ILS can be installed for runway- 13.
It has also been noticed in the suo-moto proceedings that the said authority has prima facie, failed to take appropriate remedial measures by upgrading the lighting system and installing the required gadgets at Srinagar Airport as such said authority has failed to discharge its public duty.
AAI submitted that a land of 300 meter is available from runway threshold but the localizer cannot be installed within this area as the same is being used by IAF as such installation of localizer for runway-13 is not feasible.
It has also been found 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 and so far no action has been taken in this regard till date.
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