Rapid construction near Kolkata airport sparks air traffic safety concerns post Air India crash

The devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad has triggered a nationwide safety review of airports, and now, the spotlight has turned to Kolkata. Concerns are mounting over the safety of flight operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, where unchecked urban construction is raising serious red flags.

A key issue is the rapid proliferation of multi-storey buildings around the airport’s perimeter, which aviation experts warn could interfere with flight paths, especially during take-off and landing. The matter is gaining urgency, with local residents and aviation observers questioning whether enough has been done to enforce height restrictions in the designated flight funnel zone.

Officials at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have reportedly been reviewing the structures around the airport, but no official statement has been made yet regarding potential violations. However, civil aviation norms mandate strict clearance zones around airport runways to avoid incidents like the one in Ahmedabad, where a plane crashed into a nearby hostel building.

As Kolkata expands vertically, the need for tighter regulatory enforcement has become critical. Safety experts are urging immediate audits to ensure that no structure jeopardizes safe flight operations from one of eastern India’s busiest airports.