Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 10: In the wake of the attack on the Pathankot Air Force Station, Srinagar Airport authorities have written to the administration for imposition of restrictions on construction of buildings and other structures in 100 meter area around the airport and 900 meter around any ammunition depot and declare it "no construction zone".
According to a letter dispatched by Air force Station Srinagar to Deputy Commissioner Budgam the Airforce Station Srinagar is surrounded by village Humhama in the north, village Lalgaon Gudsathu in the south, village Buchroo Kralpora in the east and village Naroo Ichigam Qazi Bagh in the west.
"As per Govt of India Gazettee Notification, no construction is permitted within 100 metres from the Indian Air Force base boundary and no structures/construction is permitted within 900 mtrs from the boundary of weapon storage area (WSA) consequent to issue of the Govt of India Gazettee Notification, your good office issued public notification vide letter no DBM/JC/472-480 . The station is to identify the structures and buildings existing within 100 / 900 metres from the perimeter wall for which a BOO has been ordered. In order to identify the buildings/structures within 100/900 metres the requisite information can only be provided by your office. Accordingly, a letter No AF/SRI/S/ 901/1/7/Wks was provided," the letter says, a copy of which lies with Early Times.
On January 2 this year, militants attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station, a part of the Western Air Command. The gunfight between the forces and militants continued till January 4, resulting in killing of 14 persons including seven security personnel, six militants and one civilian.
The Srinagar Airport is under the direct operational control of the IAF which controls its air traffic and landing strip and also the facilities of fire-fighting and crash activities, apart from the airspace. The terminal building where the passengers check-in and check-out and the apron area, where an aircraft is parked, is however controlled by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). In wake of the attack on the Pathonkote, sources said Indian Air Force has sought tightening of security around the Srinagar Airport. "The imposition of ban around 100 metres of Srinagar Airport and 900 metres around ammunition depot has been taken in view of the security concerns," a senior official said.
He said the issue was also raised with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir in a recent meeting and was under the consideration of the state government. |
