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Patna: Pilots flying into Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport have raised serious safety concerns. The airport, located in the heart of the city between the Patna-Gaya rail line and Patna zoo, is one of the busiest in Bihar, handling over 30 flights a day. However, landing here is becoming increasingly risky due to several problems around the runway.
One major issue is the railway line, with high-tension wires running above it. These make landings difficult, especially during low visibility or at night. The glare from vehicle headlights near the airport also adds to the problem, making it harder for pilots to see clearly.
Besides, the Clock tower at the Old Secretraiat is a major obstruction for the pilots. The secretariat clock tower has been denoted as a permanent obstacle by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and accordingly the glide angle of the aircraft while landing has been fixed at 2.5 per cent, which is 2 per cent in under normal conditions.
Bird strikes are another frequent danger. Birds are active during the day, and many flights have reported near-misses or trouble during landing. Despite these risks, no major improvements have been made to the airport’s infrastructure. Experts have repeatedly asked the authorities to expand the runway and improve the safety systems.
With a dense population around the airport and thousands of daily passengers, the need for action is urgent. Aviation officials and passengers are calling on the government to take strong and immediate steps to make Patna Airport safer.
