No laser trouble for pilots flying into city this Diwali
Times of India | 2 November 2024
12 Kolkata: Pilots operating to Kolkata airport this festive season were pleasantly surprised to not encounter the intrusive laser strobes from pandals while approaching the city. Kolkata airport officials also expressed surprise over the development as they used to struggle to check the use of laser strobes near the airport, particularly during Kali Puja, which is celebrated with much fanfare in the Madhyamgram-Barasat belt. This had earlier made flight operations to Kolkata during the festival hazardous.
In the past, the use of lasers at Durga Puja pandals near Lake Town and in Salt Lake also caused problems.
Asani Mukhopadhyay, Barasat Municipality chairman and general secretary of KNC Regiment, one of the leading Kali Pujas in the area, said they used laser lights at the pandal but trained the beams towards the ground to ensure they did not cause problems for flights.
"The police have been repeatedly campaigning about the need to celebrate responsibly and take care of how we use laser lights as they cause problems in flight operations. Not just us, all puja organisers have been mindful this year," he said.
Bhaskar Mukherjee, DIG Barasat range, said organisers have become aware of the issue and hoped pilots won't face the problem in future.