Schedule for upgrading & redeveloping Baramati airstrip yet to be drawn, says CM

Pune: The schedule for upgrading and redeveloping Baramati airstrip, overseen by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC), was yet to be finalised, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told TOI on Wednesday, nearly four months after the Jan 28 plane crash near the facility that killed then deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others.Fresh safety concerns resurfaced on Wednesday after a training aircraft operated by Redbird Aviation made a hard landing near Gojubavi village, adjacent to the airstrip, around 8.50am. In Feb, the CM had confirmed to TOI via a text message that the state was planning to upgrade the Baramati airstrip with proper navigational aids and ATC monitoring with MADC executing the work.Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Avialaz Consultants, said the Wednesday's accident highlighted longstanding issues at the Baramati facility and with Redbird Aviation. "Authorities had promised upgrades like PAPI lights and night-landing facilities. There must be stricter monitoring of underdeveloped airfields operating under Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), especially Baramati," he said, calling for an inquiry into officials who cleared Redbird despite its poor safety track record.Repeated attempts to contact MADC vice-chairperson and managing director Swati Pandey went unanswered till going to the press. An MADC official at the airport declined to comment, saying employees had been instructed not to speak to the media.After the Jan 28 crash, a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had flagged serious infrastructure and maintenance gaps. It noted that the airfield was being used by two FTOs, with air traffic control (ATC) operations handled by students and instructors. The airstrip lacked advanced navigational aids and operates only under visual flight rules (VFR), the report had stated, highlighting the absence of an in-house aircraft rescue and firefighting unit.The report had pointed out that the runway was last recarpeted in March 2016, resulting in faded markings and loose gravel. Inadequate fencing and the lack of a complete boundary wall around the aerodrome were also cited as concerns.Aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar said Baramati functioned primarily as a training airstrip but lacked advanced ATC systems, navigation aids and emergency response infrastructure. "Repeated accidents involving training aircraft, including forced landings, raise serious concerns about infrastructure quality, maintenance standards, instructor oversight, and overall safety protocols," Vandekar said, calling for comprehensive safety audits and phased upgrades across Maharashtra's airstrips, including runway extensions, improved lighting, better emergency services and modern navigation systems.He also urged the aviation ministry to review all uncontrolled airports nationwide and allow operations only at facilities that met established safety standards. "While the Wednesday accident fortunately caused no casualties, it underlines the urgent need for greater investment in regional aviation infrastructure and stricter regulatory oversight," he added.NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said the Wednesday's accident reinforced the need for stricter aviation norms in Maharashtra. "The Jan 28 crash investigation has not been handed over to the CBI, and no action has been taken against the private aviation firm. We cannot expect much from state govt," he said.