Cops redflag Aerocity hotels,mall

Apart from the possible security risk that runway 28/10 could face if the project takes off,officials said,the Palam Air Force Base is barely 100 metres away. The aircraft,which are parked in the hangar area,could also be exposed to security risk due the highrises that is being constructed,police added.

Following the queries raised by the Delhi Police,the Deputy Commissioner of Security has asked for a report from all the stakeholders involved in the security process — the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS),the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Delhi Police — to furnish the details of the security clearance.

“Though DIAL is the landowning agency… for any residential or commercial hub to come up in the vicinity of the runway,they require a security clearance from the agencies concerned. If at all they have the clearance,it is surprising as the runway is less than 150 metres away,” said a senior police officer.

DIAL has said it has all the mandatory approvals.

“The construction in the hospitality areas is being undertaken with statutory approvals of appropriate authority/authorities,” a DIAL spokesperson said.

On July 1,the Delhi Police sent a letter to S I S Ahmed,Executive Director (Security,Vigilance and Landside Management),DIAL asking him to furnish details about the security clearance. The letter said: “A large number of commercial buildings are coming up in the hospitality area just across the road and boundary of runway. The minimum distance of the said building from the runway is 115/200 metres. Being a land owning agency,please furnish any security vetting/clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation,Commissioner of Security or any other authorised agency for such commercial building which are security hazards in view of the proximity of the main runway. The matter is very important so that the papers may be supplied on an urgent basis.”