ALLAHABAD / LUCKNOW: In a development which may affect the district administration’s preparations for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela, Indian Air Force ( IAF ) has called for stopping the ongoing construction of a railway overbridge (ROB), on the near Begum Bazar-Bhagwatpur Road, near the runway at Barmrauli Airport In a press communique, the IAF says that the propose ROB in its present form will not only threaten the passengers’ safety but also jeopardise national security, as fighter planes won't be able take off when needed.The 500-metre ROB is being built as part of the projects launched ahead of the Kumbh Mela-2019. The construction of the overbridge started in February and an October 31 deadline was set for its completion.Defence public relation officer, Avinash Sinha, said, “The bridge will compromise national security as it would reduce the length of the runway and most fighter planes would not be able to use the airfield.”He also said that the overbridge was a dangerous obstruction for the planes landing or taking off from Bamrauli Airport because of its height, thereby defeating the purpose of developing the Civil Air Terminal in Allahabad.According to defence public relation officer Gargi Malik Sinha, gazette of India (GSR 751) and Indian Aircraft Act 1934 clearly commands that “No Objection Certificate” from the Indian Air Force or Airport Authority of India is mandatory before executing any project work in the vicinity of an airfield for ensuring the safety to aviation. But ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) for the construction of the ROB was not taken, the IAF relase says.IAF has also apprised other agencies involved in the project like the UP State Bridge Corporation Limited, Indian Railways and the district administration about the alleged rule violation and have asked them to stop the construction immediately.Railways has decided to hold tripartite meeting with the divisional commissioner and air force authorities to resolve the issue. Chief Public Relation Officer, North Central Railway, Gaurav Krishna Bansal, said, “Senior railway officials will be meeting IAF and government authorities to find a solution to the issue.”The meeting is expected to be convened on on Monday.As per the Gazette of India (GSR 751) and Indian Aircraft Act 1934, an NOC from the Indian Air Force and Airports Authority of India is mandatory before undertaking any construction in the vicinity of an airfield for ensuring aviation safety.

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