Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 10: The High Court has sought details from Airport Authority of India (AAI) about the up-gradation of Instrumental Landing System (ILS) at Srinagar International Airport.
The direction to AAI has been passed after the State Counsel submitted that the frequent cancellation of flights at airport is due to non-installation of ILS and in this connection he apprised the court that the land has already been offered to the AAI and they (AAI) are working on the details of land with Deputy Commissioner Budgam.
Counsel representing AAI has endorsed the statement of State Counsel and submitted that AAI is working out the stages and the measurements of offered land for the purpose of installation of ILS. He added that the officials have visited the site and have asked for contour maps, showing levels of grins for different measurements be provided for installation of approach lights to support ILS.
“On behalf of the Air Force, AAI and State Government, affidavit be filed, indicating steps taken towards implementing the upgraded ILS at Srinagar airport, the affidavit be filed within three weeks”, Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said.
The PIL has been initiated by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and then Chief Justice of the State had directed the issue 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.
Court had earlier sought reasons from the airport authorities about the facilities which are being provided to those passengers who are suffering due to cancellation of air flights.
Air Commodore Air Force in his compliance, court said, suggested that Air Force Authority of India has provided the navigational aids to the Srinagar airport, but the approach lighting system which as per Commodore is an integral part of ILS has not been installed by the AAI.
It was stated before the court that for the installation of approach of lighting system there is land requirement and Air Force Station Srinagar has only 300 meters of land for which minimum 900 meters is required.
Court after perusal of reports filed by the respondents had said that it leads to only one conclusion that land is not being provided for installation of approach lighting system as minimum requirement is 900 meters and had directed the Government to respond it by next date.
It has also been notice 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.
Follow our WhatsApp channel