DGCA nod must for using laser, drones near airport
Times of India | 21 February 2024
Kolkata: No laser show will be allowed within 18.5 km radius of Kolkata airport. Also, for use of drones within 8-12 km of the airport — be it for any family function, corporate event, musical shows or road repairs — operators must secure special permission from airport authorities.
The clarification came after Bidhannagar Police had sought clarity from airport about the exact rules pertaining to drones and laser shows after they found that although they deny permission to use them within their jurisdiction, they are being used aplenty at banquet halls on EM Bypass that fall under Kolkata Police and banquet halls in Dum Dum and Madhyamgram under Barrackpore Commissionerate.
“Irrespective of the jurisdiction of the police commissionerates, we have set rules regarding flying of drones and charging laser lights in the sky. While we have strict guidelines on flashing laser lights anywhere within 18.5 km of the airport, one also needs to take separate permission from DGCA if they intend to fly drones within 8 km to 12 km of airport. We have asked Bidhannagar cops to coordinate with other commissionerates as well and ensure the rule is implemented,” said a senior airport official.
A laser light can momentarily blind a pilot, leaving him incapacitated till the vision is restored after a short while. This is hazardous during the landing procedure when a plane descends 1,500-2,000 feet per minute. Civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandates an 18.5km-radius exclusion zone for laser lights around airports to prevent pilots getting blinded by laser beams during landing.
Cops had sought the clarifications at the latest meeting of airport environment committee held at Kolkata airport which was attended by state home secretary Nandini Chakraborty, airport director C Pattabhi, Bidhannagar Police commissioner Gaurav Sharma and Bidhannagar DC airport Aishwarya Sagar among other officials.
“We are aware of the problems regarding drones and laser. But what bothered us was the fact that while we don’t allow permission to use drones or laser lights in our jurisdiction, we could see its use in places like Ultadanga and Madhyamgram, which are also closer to airport but don’t fall in our jurisdiction. The authorities have promised to share a set of written guidelines with us,” said a senior officer of Bidhannagar Police.
In the meeting cops have also sought clarification about GPS trackers that many foreigners and NRIs carry.
Airline officials appreciated the move and said that they were thankful to the cops and airport authorities for initiating the discussion.
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