Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 19: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar has directed the State to ensure that no brick kiln is permitted to operate within 8 km from the centre of the runway of the Srinagar Airport.
When the PIL vis-à-vis operation of brick kilns came up for hearing the attention of Division Bench was drawn towards order dated October 6, 2017 by ASGI Tahir Majid Shamsi. In this order, the court had directed that the possibility of re-location of brick kilns should be considered in view of the technical requirements given by the Indian Air Force of not having a brick kiln within 8 km radius from the central point of the runway.
Indian Air Force has pointed out that on account of smog/smoke emitting from the brick kilns, low visibility conditions are caused which leads to cancellation/delay of flights and amongst other adversities. The IAF also placed photographs on record in support of the submissions that bring kiln are continuing to operate.
Accordingly, DB directed the State to ensure that no brick kiln is permitted to operate within 8 kilometres from the centre of the runway of the Srinagar airport.
Meanwhile, Anil Bhan, counsel appearing for respondent submitted that M/s Nipman Foundation has conducted the disability access audit of the Jammu Airport but the report is awaited. He further informed the court that M/s Nipman Foundation would conduct the disability access audit of Srinagar and Leh Airports in March 2020.
Upon this, DB directed Airport Authority to communicate with M/s Nipman Foundation and inform them that the airports remain functional even during the winter months and there would be no justifiable reasons for postponing the disability access audit for this long period of over five months which would result in delaying measures being taken to make these airports accessible.
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