Bombay HC warns director general of civil aviation of contempt

A division bench of the Bombay high court on Wednesday took exception to the director general of civil aviation (DGCA) failing to file a reply on the air-traffic congestion issue.

Irked by the central authority’s ‘lethargic’ attitude, justices FI
Rebello and Amjad Sayed gave the DGCA a last chance to file the reply in two weeks or to face contempt of court charges.

The court was hearing a public interest litigant (PIL) initiated by the Resources of Civil Aviation Redressal Association and seven others. Filed in 2009, the PIL claims the air congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport jeopardises the safety and security of travellers.

Petitioner’s advocates Joaquin Reis and Vinay Hegde argued that there was too much traffic congestion at the airport which often causes delay in flights to take off and land.

“Many times, the flights have to circle over the airport for nearly an hour before it allowed to land. This consumes more fuel which costs thousands of dollars,” Reis argued.

However, an affidavit filed by V Balasubramanian, deputy general
manager (law), with the Airport Authority India on Wednesday said there was no illegality, irrationality and procedural impropriety.
He refuted the allegations that all flights departing from or arriving at Mumbai airport were delayed.

Partha Ganguly, general manager (legal), the Mumbai International Airport Private Limited, also filed an affidavit which states that the traffic movements at the airport is not a matter capable of judicial determination.