With Diwali barely two days away, Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower officials fear fireworks such as sky lanterns and rockets could possibly cause damage to aircraft.
With Diwali barely two days away, Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower officials fear fireworks such as sky lanterns and rockets could possibly cause damage to aircraft. Last year also, officers from the ATC had written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to impose a ban on the sale of such lanterns and rockets in areas where flights fly at lower level.
A top official from the ATC said that the DGCA should impose strict rules regarding the sale of lanterns and rockets because if people get to buy them in the market, then they will display them. “There should be a ban on the use and sale of fireworks in at least 20 km area circumambulating the airport, as here the aircraft flies close to the ground,” said a senior ATC officer.
According to a top officer from the ATC, some of the lantern firework contain lamps inside them, and if these come in touch with a flying aircraft a mishap could happen. ATC officials said these lanterns were as dangerous as a drone, so the DGCA should impose a ban on them too. A senior officer from ATC commenting on the same said, “While taking off and during landings, aircraft fly close to the ground. These lanterns go up to 1,000 metres above the ground so they can touch any aircraft, which is a security threat for the aircraft.”
General manager of ATC, Jayant Dasgupta, while commenting on the problem said, “We wrote letters to the DGCA, but nothing has been done till now. The DGCA should take strong action.”
When approached, a DGCA officer said his office had not received any letter from the department yet. “Ensuring the safety of the aircraft is always our priority, and if needed we will take strong actions,” he said.
ACP of Airport Zone Suresh Vedak said the police would take strong action against those who light and fly lanterns, burn big crackers and rockets. “There is no ban on the sale of fireworks, but we will ensure that no one uses crackers near the landing and take off point as well as in the flight path area. We have implemented restrictions under the Code of Criminal Procedure too,” said Mr Vedak.
