Bhopal, July 1 (IANS) Bhopal Divisional Commissioner Karmveer Sharma on Wednesday ordered a series of measures to strengthen aviation safety and improve civic management around Raja Bhoj Airport, directing authorities to tighten surveillance, regulate construction activities and remove potential hazards in the airport’s vicinity.

Chairing a meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee at Raja Bhoj Airport, Sharma reviewed security arrangements, environmental management and coordination among various departments.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrates Sumit Pandey and Alok Tripathi, the Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials, and representatives of other departments.

“All departments must work in close coordination to ensure that security, cleanliness and environmental standards around Raja Bhoj Airport are maintained. Every aspect related to airport safety should be reviewed regularly,” Sharma said.

To strengthen security, he directed the police to increase patrolling around the airport and asked authorities to install streetlights beneath flyovers and at other vulnerable locations.

A major focus of the meeting was regulating construction near the airport. Sharma directed that no construction work in urban or rural areas falling within the airport’s regulated zone should begin without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India.

He further instructed that building permissions within the airport zoning map area be issued through the Municipal Corporation’s online system only after clearance is received through the Airports Authority’s NOCAS platform.

Sharma also directed officials to enforce restrictions on the use of laser beams and high-intensity lights near the airport and along flight approach paths.

Police stations concerned were asked to monitor violations, while marriage gardens operating in the vicinity of the airport will also be inspected to ensure compliance with safety norms.

“No construction should commence without an AAI NOC, and strict compliance with regulations governing laser lights and other activities affecting flight safety must be ensured,” Sharma said.

The Divisional Commissioner instructed the Municipal Corporation to identify and regularly clean garbage collection points near the airport to minimise bird activity.

He also ordered the regular deployment of dog squads to prevent stray animals from entering airport areas.

Sharma directed authorities to launch a drive against unauthorised meat and fish shops and illegal roadside vendors operating near the airport.

He also asked officials to ensure that authorised commercial establishments maintain prescribed hygiene and cleanliness standards.

He further directed regular inspection and trimming of trees around the airport through coordinated action between the Municipal Corporation and the Airports Authority to eliminate potential risks to aircraft operations.

–IANS

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