Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 7: Jammu and Kashmir High Court directed Airport Authority of India (AAI ) 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.
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, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Alok Aradhe directed the AAI to launch the SALS with a time frame as per the affidavit of the AAI.
The suo-moto cognizance was taken when court found that the AAI 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.
It was also noticed that the 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.
Court has been informed that by setting up the SLAS the visibility be reduced from 1300 meters to 1000 meters. The 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.
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.
The AAI as also the Indian Air Force (IAF) Station at Airport have taken up the issue with higher authority for setting up a simple light approach system at Srinagar International airport.
As regards the brick kilns around the airport a list has been prepared and notice have been issued to some of the brick kilns which are close to the Airport.
Court directed for closing down all those brick kilns till March 2018 which are within 8 kilometers of peripheral limits of airport till such time IAF has been directed 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.
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