Bhopal Divisional Commissioner Karmveer Sharma on Wednesday, 1 July ordered a sweeping set of measures to strengthen aviation safety and civic management around Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, directing agencies to tighten surveillance, enforce construction regulations, and eliminate environmental hazards that could threaten flight operations.

Key Directives Issued

Chairing a meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee at Raja Bhoj Airport, Sharma reviewed security arrangements, environmental management, and inter-departmental coordination. The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrates Sumit Pandey and Alok Tripathi, the Airport Director, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and representatives of multiple departments.

'All departments must work in close coordination to ensure that security, cleanliness and environmental standards around Raja Bhoj Airport are maintained. Every aspect related to airport safety should be reviewed regularly,' Sharma said.

Construction Controls and NOC Mandate

A central focus of the meeting was regulating building activity in the airport's vicinity. Sharma directed that no construction — whether in urban or rural areas falling within the airport's regulated zone — may begin without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the AAI. Building permissions within the airport zoning map area must now be issued exclusively through the Municipal Corporation's online system, and only after clearance is received via the AAI's NOCAS platform.

'No construction should commence without an AAI NOC, and strict compliance with regulations governing laser lights and other activities affecting flight safety must be ensured,' Sharma stated.

Laser Lights, Patrolling, and Vulnerable Zones

To address security gaps, Sharma directed the police to intensify patrolling around the airport perimeter and ordered the installation of streetlights beneath flyovers and at other identified vulnerable locations. Authorities were also instructed to enforce restrictions on the use of laser beams and high-intensity lights near the airport and along flight approach paths. Concerned police stations were asked to actively monitor violations, and marriage gardens operating in the airport's vicinity will be inspected for compliance with safety norms.

Bird Hazard and Stray Animal Control

The Commissioner directed the Municipal Corporation to identify and regularly clean garbage collection points near the airport to minimise bird activity — a recognised hazard to aircraft. He also ordered the regular deployment of dog squads to prevent stray animals from entering airport areas.

A drive against unauthorised meat and fish shops and illegal roadside vendors near the airport was also ordered, alongside mandatory hygiene inspections of authorised commercial establishments in the zone.

Tree Trimming and Ongoing Compliance

Sharma further directed coordinated action between the Municipal Corporation and the AAI for the regular inspection and trimming of trees around the airport, aimed at eliminating potential obstructions to aircraft operations. This comes amid a broader national push by the AAI to standardise airfield environment management at Tier-2 airports across India. With Bhopal's air traffic expanding, consistent enforcement of these directives will be critical to sustaining safe operations at Raja Bhoj Airport.