Bhubaneswar: People planning any celebration on a grand scale with mega fireworks and laser lights need to reconsider their preparations for the city airport authorities and the civic body plans to ban such activities for safety purposes.
The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) along with the Commissionerate of Police and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to restrict high-altitude fireworks, long-range lasers and drones in the capital city.
“The idea is to regulate these celebratory activities in areas coming within 3-4 km radius of the airport. We have written to the DCP who has setup a team to check such activities. Soon we will have a meeting with the team and sensitise the local police station heads on the issue,” said BPIA director Suresh Chandra Hota.
The move has come against the backdrop of increasing air traffic at the BPIA. A rise of 30.3% has been recorded in international flights since 2015, while a similar growth of 31.5% has been seen in domestic flights during the same period. This surge is expected to grow further at 39.7% with the airport set to receive 4 million passengers by next year.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, aviators are ‘highly vulnerable’ to laser illuminations while operating low level flights at night. There are reportedly many banquet halls near the BPIA that tend to use laser lights and firecrackers during weddings and other functions.
“Pilots can temporary be visually impaired due to sudden exposure to laser radiation during a critical phase of a flight. We have received regular complains about the laser flashes and disturbances due to firecrackers. This is a huge safety threat for an airport that is in the midst of a city,” Hota explained.
He further added that the implementation of the proposed idea is in process and “will be effective by next month.” Among the key areas, Hota stated that the main focus will be on areas like Jagamara, Dumduma, Kalinga Studio and Fire Station.
“The BPIA officials have explained us the hindrances faced by pilots during takeoffs and landings. We have also received some complaints, especially during the peak wedding seasons. However, many people do this unknowingly. Thus, we have planned to create awareness first and then go for punitive actions against people who will fail to comply,” said a senior police official.