SrinagarThe Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday directed Airports Authority of India (AAI) to carry spot survey of land needed for installation of approach lighting system to prevent frequent cancellation of flights, especially during winters, at Srinagar international airport, a joint military-cum-civil airfield.
More than 200 flights were cancelled during first fortnight of January this year in absence of approaching lights system to augment instrument of landing system (ILS) at the airport.
Hearing a suo-moto Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, directed AAI to carry out the survey along with Deputy Commissioner Budgam within two weeks.
The court also directed the deputy commissioner to take immediate steps for acquisition of the land if the survey necessitates it.
The courts direction followed proceedings during which it emerged that the airport has the ILS facility for runway-31 towards Budgam but there is no approach lighting system to complement the ILS.
If approach lighting system was installed for runway-31, then the minimum visibility would be 800 meters and this would ensure smooth landing of flights at the airport during the winters, the court was informed.
The problem for runway-31 is requirement of 900 meters of land and only 300 meters of levelled land is available while other 600 meters of land is of lower level, the court said and directed the AAI to examine the land within two weeks after making survey on spot along with deputy commissioner Budgam. It asked the AAI to submit the report within two weeks.
If the feasibility report would show that it is to be used for the purpose, then Deputy Commissioner Budgam shall take steps for acquisition of the land and if not feasible, then alternative steps be taken, the court added.
So far as runway-13 which is towards Chadoora, the court was told that there was adequate land available with the Air Force. However, the runway-13 does not have ILS in place as also approach lighting system. The court directed both AAI and Air Force authority take a decision in this regard and report by next date of hearing after two weeks.
The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation that it has initiated on its own motion, seeking to provide necessary facilities to passengers travelling to and from Kashmir by air.
The PIL was initiated by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and on December 14, Chief Justice had directed its registration as suo-moto PIL. In this petition, the judge noticed 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.
In this PIL, the judge noticed 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.
The judge also noticed that the authorities have, prima facie, failed to take appropriate remedial measures by upgrading the lighting system and installing the required gadgets at the Srinagar airport and, consequently has failed to discharge public duty.
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