House panel makes a case for revamping ATC

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29 : A house panel report on the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has observed that not enough has been done to ensure aviation safety and security. Therefore, it has called for an overhaul of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Air Navigation System (ANS) and a more pro-active role of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The Committee on Public Undertakings has also noted that frequency of incidents at Indian airports is on the rise — from 10 in 2004 to 21 in 2007 — and that most of these have occurred due to errors by ATC officers or shortcomings in the air traffic management and air navigation services. The committee has urged AAI to upgrade and improve procedure and equipment related to ATC with strict regulation by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to check these.

The committee has strongly recommended that AAI should take prompt measures “to attract, recruit and retain” ATC officers by reviewing work hours, upgrading salaries and career progression and working conditions.

The committee has also noted “with regret” that AAI was unable to furnish accident/incident details for all the airports in the country and had limited details of the same for three airports of Kolkata, Chennai and Thiruvantapuram.

Pointing out that the system of reporting accidents/incidents was still quite weak and there was virtually no centralised database on the same, the committee has strongly recommended that a comprehensive review of the reporting system be carried out and that the DGCA should ensure that all airport operators submit such data to DGCA every quarter. In view of high security concerns, the panel said, the airport director should be immediately relieved of his security related responsibilities and the charge should rest with officials from BCAS, especially now that private operators are in the fray.

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