The Hindu : Front Page : Sending the wrong signals to pilots

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 06, 2005

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Sending the wrong signals to pilots

A. Subramani

File picture of an aircraft taking off from Chennai airport. — Photo: N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: Gigantic and high-resolution hoardings and confusing lights in the vicinity of the Chennai airport have been "misleading pilots and may result in serious consequences," the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has said in a writ petition.

Despite warning from pilots and international aviation organisations, the local administration has done nothing to remove the hazardous structures. Nor has it refused renewal of licence to the existing ones, V. Balasubramanian, Deputy General Manager (Law) of the AAI, said in his petition. Admitting the plea, Justice D. Murugesan directed the authorities concerned, including the State Highway Department, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Kancheepuram District Collector, and the local bodies of Pallavaram, Pammal and Meenambakkam, to file their replies by Friday.

Maintaining that the local authorities are prohibited from granting licence for erecting hoardings, the petitioner said despite several "watchful warnings," they were flouting laws.

"The bright lights and illuminations on the high resolution hoardings between Kathipara junction and Pallavaram are causing confusion in the interpretation of the aeronautical ground lights, which is dangerous to the safety of air operations," the petition said. Several pilots, on finding it difficult to navigate the flights because of these hoardings had registered the problem and requested immediate action, the petitioner said, adding, "in spite of many letters and reminders by experts and international bodies, officials have not taken speedy and effective steps to resolve these problems. It is a continuing danger every day, involving the life and safety of people."

He prayed for immediate disconnection of power supply to the hoardings from Kathipara Junction to Pallavaram and direction to the officials not to grant fresh lease or renew existing lease.

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