PANAJI: Aviation safety around Goa International Airport, which serves as a front-line naval air base, is of paramount concern and will not be compromised, said the Indian Navy as it refuted allegations that it is “restricting development” in Goa.
In an official statement, the Navy said that issuing clearance for construction around the aerodrome is driven by international safety standards, and allegations of hindering development are unfounded and uncalled for.
The navy’s statement comes several weeks after the Mormugao planning & development authority accused it of restricting development. MPDA chairman Clafasio Dias said that they would appeal to the Supreme Court against the ministry of civil aviation (height restrictions for safeguarding of aircraft operations) rules, 2015, which restrict the height of buildings around airports.
The rules require builders to obtain NOCs from airport operating authorities for construction in the vicinity of airfields, which in Goa’s case is the Indian Navy.
“The Indian Navy has simplified the process of obtaining NOCs to the extent possible by processing all NOCs through MPDA or respective panchayats,” the Navy statement said. “MPDA and concerned panchayats have been provided all details and documentation specimens for applying for NOC, including colour-coded zoning map prepared in accordance with ministry of civil aviation (MOCA) guidelines.”
The navy also said that safety standards cannot be relaxed based on the nature or purpose of a building. It added that it completely understands the necessity of constructing a storm shelter in Zuarinagar, but added that the design has to be in accordance with the colour-coded zoning map due to its location near the airport. “An acceptable design has now been received by the navy, and is being processed on fast track. For the record, all naval and government constructions in the vicinity of the airport are strictly guided by the MOCA restrictions,” the statement said.
Provisions mandating issue of NOCs are beyond the scope of amendment by the Indian Navy and would continue to be in force unless international civil aviation safety norms are amended, or the navy is directed by a higher authority to relax the regulations in force.