Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 4: The Committee on Petitions of the Legislative Assembly today directed Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and the Reasi district administration to expedite the process for shifting of helipad from Serli near holy town of Katra to an alternate site identified on Katra-Reasi road. The House Panel has also issued directions for measuring the level of noise pollution within two weeks so that corrective measures could be taken to provide respite to the people from deafening sound caused by the helicopters.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Committee on Petitions headed by MLA Ramban Ashok Kumar met at Assembly Secretariat this afternoon and discussed the petition seeking relief from the unbearable volume of noise pollution being generated by the helicopters’ continuous operation from morning to late evening from Serli helipad.
Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, Commissioner Civil Aviation, Chairman Pollution Control Board, District Development Commissioner, SSP Reasi, Base Managers of Global Vectra Heli Corporation Ltd and Pawan Hans Ltd, Chief Executive Officer Katra and the Chief Town Planner, who were summoned vide order dated November 25, responded to the queries raised by the Committee on Petitions.
The Committee was apprised that helipad at Serli near Katra town was constructed in 1998 exclusively for the VIP visits and from 2002 onwards helicopters on commercial basis are being operated from this helipad. It was also disclosed that Global Vectra Heli Corporation Ltd and Pawan Hans Ltd are operating 150 sorties every day, sources said, adding the Committee also came to know that last year the land for shifting of helipad from Serli to a location in Hatt Panchayat on Katra-Reasi road was identified but thereafter no step was taken.
After threadbare discussion on the noise pollution issue, Committee on Petitions directed Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and Reasi district administration to expedite the process for shifting of helipad to a non-populace area in Hatt Panchayat, sources said. The Committee directed Deputy Commissioner Reasi to place the requirement of funds for the land acquisition at the proposed site before Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board within one month.
“Before start of land acquisition proceedings, CEO SMVDSB will arrange visit of Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) team in order to obtain proper approval for the new site”, sources said. “The Committee also directed Chairman of Pollution Control Board to measure the noise pollution level at Serli and other locations to be identified by the Deputy Commissioner Reasi within a period of two weeks and submit report to the DC, who will furnish the same to the Committee along with his observations”, sources added.
About the route violation by both the helicopter companies, it was decided that Air Traffic Control of Jammu Airport will be called during next meeting of the Committee to seek his help in checking the route violation, which is also fraught with serious dangers.
The Committee, while considering the request of the MLA Reasi, Baldev Raj Sharma, agreed to pay visit to helipad along with officers anytime during the current month, sources said.
It may be recalled that petitioner has pointed out that the helipad is surrounded by schools, temples and gurudwaras besides inhabited areas and continuous helicopter service from morning till evening has made hell like conditions due to unbearable noise pollution. As per the available information, the helicopter services have not been staggered and both the companies have been operating choppers without any break.
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