Aviation safety depends on ‘ATC more than pilot’, says Bombay HC judge referring to Runway 34 movie

While hearing a plea on dangers to aircraft by high-rises near Mumbai airport the Bombay HC court remarked that in aviation everything depends on air traffic control and anything can happen with one mistake. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice M S Karnik was hearing public interest litigation filed by advocate Yashwant Shenoy, seeking action against the construction of buildings above the prescribed height limit in the vicinity of the city airport.

As per Shenoy, these buildings pose a risk to aircraft taking off and landing at the airport here and may someday lead to any untoward incident. Chief Justice Datta said the issue concerns everyone. He also referred to the recently released Ajay Devgn-starrer Hindi film "Runway 34." 

"I happened to see a movie 'Runway 34,' Nothing depends on the pilot. Everything depends on the air traffic control," Chief Justice Datta said. "We think the pilot has announced that we are set for landing or take off and the temperature outside is so and so and everything is fine. But it all depends on several other factors. One mistake here and there...Anything can happen," he said.

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The bench directed the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to file their affidavits on what action it has taken on the issue. The court said it would hear the matter further on Friday.

(With inputs from PTI)

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