Ranchi: The Airport Authority of India (AAI), Ranchi has identified 55 tall buildings, built within the radius of 20 km from Birsa Munda Airport, which could pose trouble for aircraft during take off and landing.
The local AAI has shot off letters to the chief minister, secretary of urban development department, divisional commissioner of South Chhotanagpur and commissioner of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) to take suitable action against the high-rise buildings.
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The AAI officials claimed that the tall buildings near the airport may make it prone to accidents. The letter also contained the list of buildings along with details of their owner. The district authorities have been told to demolish the structure beyond the permissible height limit.
The airport authorities have specified the height limit of the buildings as per the Aircraft Act and said that they had to seek the help of district and state authorities after the owners of the high-rise buildings refused to pay heed to their repeated reminders. The notices, according to them, were served to the concerned building owners last year. “But none of them bothered even to reply to the letters,” said a senior AAI official.
Irregularities in building construction were detected in last year’s survey
Last year, AAI had conducted an obstacle limitation surface survey within a 20 km radius of the airport. In this, the height of 51 private houses and 4 apartments was found to be more than the prescribed limit. It is dangerous in landing and take-off of planes. Therefore, the government should take this seriously and take immediate action. Such surveys are conducted by the airport authorities every alternate year for smooth operation of flights.
Town planner to enquire into the matter
Responding to the AAI’s letter, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation Amit Kumar said that the town planner had been directed to enquire into the alleged violation of the building bye-laws and restrictions stipulated by the AAI. “Suitable action will be taken after receiving inquiry report,” said the RMC CEO.
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Prominent buildings identified for bye-laws breach
Prominent buildings referred to by the AAI belong to Bharati Dutta (Hear Ten-11 Cafe, Hinoo), Vishwajeet Karmakar (multi-storeyed building in Peter Lane, Hinoo), Pankaj Kumar (Peter Lane), Swati Kumari (Prakash Nagar, Peter Lane), Rahul Singh (Hotel Raso, Birsa Chowk), Rajiv Kumar (Moksha Family Restaurant, Hinoo), Asha Singh (Birsa Chowk), Mart Complex (HEC, Dhurwa), Rajesh Khalkho (New Area, Gandhi Nagar, Hinoo), etc.
