Laser lights and shows banned in 8 police station areas around Kolkata international airport; here’s why

Pilots of two Indigo flights recently faced problems created by laser beams.

The order stated that laser lights shows at restaurants, marriage halls and banquet halls around the Kolkata airport too contribute to the problem. (File Photo)

The West Bengal police have finally banned the use of laser lights, laser beams and laser light shows in vast areas around Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport. The move was prompted by a series of incidents where pilots of incoming and outgoing flights complained of momentarily blinding effects and vision distractions due to such lights.

The areas under the ban include all areas under the Airport, Narayanpur and Baguiati police stations as well as parts of the police station limits of Eco Park, Bidhannagar South, Bidhannagar East, New Town and Rajarhat.

In an order issued on April 30 by Commissioner of Police Gaurav Sharma, the Bidhannagar police commissionerate banned such laser lights. The ban covers all areas under the Airport, Narayanpur, and Baguiati police stations, and also parts of Eco Park, Bidhannagar South, Bidhannagar East, New Town and Rajarhat police station areas.

“… do hereby prohibit the use of Sky Pointing Laser Beams in the Free Flight Zone at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, and surrounding areas in the interest of the safety and security of flights in the said area. That there will be no use of Sky Pointing Laser Beams within the Free Flight Zone of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata…” read the order, a copy of which is with The Indian Express.

“… it appears from the report of the Dy Commissioner of Police, Airport Division … as well as information received from the Airport Director…. that due to the situation prevailing in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, it is noticed that Sky Pointing Laser Light Beams …..which are just in the approach of runways and in the direction of the landing aircraft in the Free Flight Zone around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, thereby endangering the safety and security of flights in the said area…” the order further read.

The order stated that laser lights shows at restaurants, marriage halls and banquet halls around the Kolkata airport too contribute to the problem.

“… it has been found that several Banquets, Hotels and Restaurants, Clubs, Housing Societies etc. have come up in and around the jurisdiction of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata wherein a lot of lights including Laser Beams are used on celebration of Marriages, Parties and different events held therein, which is a source of nuisance in general and cause of vision distraction to the Pilots in particular…” the order stated.

Story continues below this ad

“…it is necessary to take immediate measures in this regard to prevent danger to human life & safety of Aircraft and to contain nuisance in the matter of Laser Beams in and around the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. It is also necessary that some check should be put on the usage of Laser Light Beams illumination and establishing a Laser Light Beam-free Flight Zone around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, so that usage of Laser Beams should not affect Aircraft landing, take off and Aircraft flying operations and that immediate action is necessary for the prevention of the same…’ the order added.

The order effective from May 1 will remain in force for the next 60 days. The police have also decided to start public awareness campaigns regarding the order.

There have been many recent incidents where pilots were momentarily blinded by such laser beans. On March 16, a pilot of an Indigo flight coming from Patna faced the problem.

On February 25, in a similar incident, a pilot of an Indigo flight from Bangalore was momentarily blinded by a laser beam while approaching the airport.

Story continues below this ad

The airport authorities had taken up the matter with the police.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram