Patna: In the wake of the plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, airports across India are undergoing heightened security and safety checks, with Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport coming under particular focus due to its challenging operational conditions.
A seven-member team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has conducted a two-day inspection of the Patna airport, examining key infrastructure including the runway, parking bays and air traffic control facilities. Officials also gathered details on the difficulties faced by pilots during landings and take-offs, as well as aircraft fitness checks and the airport’s parallel taxi track.
Patna airport is often cited among India’s most hazardous airports owing to its relatively short runway and its proximity to densely populated urban areas and obstacles such as the Secretariat Watch Tower.
Airport Director K M Nehra briefed the DGCA team on plans to extend the runway, revealing that the project would require lowering the height of the Secretariat Watch Tower by 17.5 metres and acquiring 15 acres of land from the adjacent zoo. Under the proposal, the runway would be lengthened by 500 metres towards the east and 200 metres towards the west to improve safety margins for aircraft operations.
Following their inspection, DGCA officials instructed airport authorities to ensure all runway signs and markings are clearly visible and properly maintained. The team also emphasised the importance of managing grass growth around the runway, particularly during the monsoon, to mitigate wildlife hazards and maintain clear sight lines for pilots.
Sources at the airport said the DGCA team will compile a report of its findings, after which Patna airport authorities will be expected to implement any directives issued to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
