INTACH voices concern over low-level flights near heritage sites from BPIA
Bhubaneswar, June 19 (UNI) The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has raised serious concerns over low-altitude flights taking off from the main runway of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar.
Anil Dhir, convenor of the INTACH Bhubaneswar Chapter, has written to the Director of BPIA urging amendments to the existing Standard Instrument Departure (SID) chart for the airport's main runway.
Dhir has also brought the matter to the attention of the Superintendent Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhubaneswar Circle, as well as the Union Culture Secretary.
In his letter, Dhir pointed out that many aircraft departing from runway 14/32 at BPIA make a sharp ascending right turn almost immediately after takeoff — sometimes even before the landing gear is fully retracted. This maneuver brings the aircraft alarmingly close to the ancient Lingaraj temple.
Based on a two-month study conducted in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar, where the temple is located, Dhir observed that several aircraft come dangerously close to the temple structure. The temple's main spire stands 180 feet (55 meters) tall, while the aircraft at the point of the turn are often at altitudes of just 1,000 to 1,200 feet.
A former trainee pilot, Dhir emphasized that although the current departure pattern adheres to the SID outlined by Bhubaneswar Air Traffic Control, it is avoidable. He suggested that delaying the right turn by merely 10 seconds would ensure aircraft fly well clear of the heritage structure.
He warned that low-level flights over such ancient monuments, especially during takeoff when engines operate at full thrust, pose significant risks, including physical damage, intense noise pollution, and structural vibrations that may harm the temple.
"The structural integrity of the Lingaraj temple is already in a fragile state," Dhir stated. "Continued exposure to such vibrations could exacerbate existing weaknesses, potentially resulting in cracks, loosening of stone joints, and even partial or complete collapse."
Dhir has submitted photographs and video evidence, including recordings taken from within aircraft as a passenger. He identified flights operated by Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa as those flying closest to the temple. In contrast, several other aircraft departing from the same runway maintain a straight climb, avoiding the heritage zone altogether.
Flying over ASI-protected monuments is generally prohibited within designated restricted zones. Even drones or other aerial devices are banned near such sites under current regulations.
Dhir reminded that the ASI bears the responsibility of protecting these historical structures and that any aerial activity posing potential harm is in violation of these protective mandates.
Citing the recent Air India Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad Airport, Dhir, a heritage expert, urged authorities to treat this issue with utmost seriousness.
UNI DP PRS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Shastrinagar flyover work yet to begin eight months after work order
The construction of the 'Y-shaped' flyover and grade separator at Shastrinagar Chowk has hit delay, with the traffic diversion plan still awaiting final approval. Despite the work order issued over eight months ago, construction is yet to begin. Preliminary work like soil testing and traffic surveys began in August 2024 and the work order was issued in October. (Representative Photo) Preliminary work like soil testing and traffic surveys began in August 2024 and the work order was issued in October. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) senior engineer said, 'We are waiting for the final traffic diversion plan. The palkhi procession and traffic pressure made it difficult to begin work now.' Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Amol Zende said, 'We have not approved the diversion plan or issued the no objection certificate (NoC). This is a critical junction, and due to the monsoon, work cannot begin. We are planning a diversion plan.' The project, planned four years ago, had to be redesigned due to changes on the ground. Initially, road widening was required because of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lane. But after the Ahmednagar Road BRT was dismantled, PMC got 7 metres of space, and widening was no longer needed. 'We got the work order in October last year but couldn't start work due to the traffic department's delay in giving the NoC. We plan to begin work by the end of this month,' said Shrikant Gaikwad, executive engineer, PMC. 'To reduce congestion, we will first build the grade separator. Traffic will be diverted from Shastrinagar to Golf Course Road via Karne Road near Don Bosco School. We've also cleared roadside encroachments and widened the road,' he said. The project also required clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as it is near the historic Aga Khan Palace. PMC gave a presentation to the National Monuments Authority in April 2024. Both central and state archaeology departments later approved the project.
The Print
14 hours ago
- The Print
In a first, court orders attachment of ASI office for non-payment of adequate land compensation
'According to the court, we have not given proper compensation to the villagers from whom we acquired land for the conservation of the site,' said Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General (monument) and spokesperson of ASI. The matter is related to the land acquisition in Dholavira, a UNESCO heritage site. This Harappan city in Gujarat falls under the Rajkot circle of the ASI. New Delhi: A five-member team of the Principal Senior Civil Judge Court Kutch came to Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Rajkot circle to attach its office on 11 June. It's the first time in India that a court has ordered the attaching of an ASI office. Sahu said ASI acquired the over 100-acre piece of land in 2004, and then ASI gave compensation. 'But the villagers demanded more and went to the court for it. We have failed to give the amount, so the court ordered the attaching of our circle office,' said Sahu. Dholavira is an important archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District. Its name is from a modern-day village a kilometre south of it. The site was accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2021. The site was discovered in 1968 by the archaeologist Jagatpati Joshi. The ASI had started excavating Dholavira in 1989. The site was excavated extensively between 1990 to 2005 under archaeologist RS Bisht. 'Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment,' reads the UNESCO website. The acquisition was part of efforts to protect and develop the site, an important Indus Valley civilisation site in India. In 2009, ASI started the acquisition of more than 100 acres of land. Also read: ASI's now calling researchers to crack a 100-year-old mystery—Indus Valley script ASI's request On 11 June this year, after the court's ruling, ASI director general requested the court in a written letter to give some time to the department. 'The ASI has demanded a time of 15 days to pay back the money,' said Sahu. 'Today on 11/06/2025, a team of court officials (5 members) led by DP Pandya, Principal Senior Civil Court, Rajkot appeared at Rajkot Divisional Office for seizure of movable property in compliance with the seizure order number Regular Civil Tamil No. 1/2023 to 9/2023 issued by the Hon'ble Court in the Dholavira land acquisition case. Along with this, the opposition lawyer KS Negi and some landowners of Dholavira village were also present. During this, Court Officer DP Pandya had a telephonic discussion with the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. In this discussion, on the basis of the assurance of the Director General, an agreement was reached for additional 15 days for payment,' reads the letter, which ThePrint has accessed. ThePrint reached out to the superintending archaeologist of Rajkot circle, AMV Subramanyam, but he refused to comment. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
United News of India
2 days ago
- United News of India
Assam gas blowout: ONGC brings in experts from USA to plug leakage
Guwahati, June 19 (UNI) A team of experts from the USA will arrive in Assam's Sivsagar on Friday to plug the leakage of gas at the ONGC's oil well. An ONGC spokesperson said the team is likely to arrive in Friday evening and put in efforts to plug the leakage, which have led to temporary displacement of hundreds of families in Barichuk Vatipara village under Sivsagar district. He said the team has specialised expertise in controlling the gas blowout. The leakage happened at well no RDS 147 A at Barichuk Vatipara in Sivsagar district on June 12 and despite best the efforts of ONGC officials, the leakage is still continuing. "Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) continues to make concerted efforts to control the gas discharge from Well RDS 147A in Assam. Multiple junk shot operations using different combinations of materials and pressure ranges have been undertaken," the spokesperson said. ONGC has initiated the development of an alternate route to facilitate safe and efficient movement in and out of the well site. Further, bunk houses and non-essential equipment are also being removed from the vicinity. He said water blanketing operations are being maintained round-the-clock as a key safety measure. Preparations for the next phase of well control, including dynamic well killing strategies, are progressing steadily, he added. "Ambient air quality monitoring in and around the well site is being conducted continuously. All parameters, including Particulate Matter (PM) levels and gas concentration, remain well within permissible limits," he said adding that the PSU has been coordinating with experts both in the country and outside to end the crisis. Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently visited the leakage spot and asked ONGC to take steps to contain the crisis at the earliest. He has also written to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri seeking his intervention to end the crisis. The Chief Minister also visited more than 300 families who have been evacuated from the affected villages at the relief camps and announced financial assistance of Rs. 25000 to each of the affected families as immediate relief. UNI ANP SSP
