Syllabus: GS3/Infrastructure
Context
- A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended granting full financial and administrative autonomy to the aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Key Concerns Identified
- Lack of Autonomy in DGCA: The current dependence on the Ministry hampers independent decision-making; without autonomy, DGCA risks being a weak compliance-monitoring body in a fast-expanding market.
- Severe Staff Shortages in DGCA: Out of the total sanctioned strength of 1,063 posts at the DGCA, only 553 are currently filled. This represents a “staggering shortfall” of nearly 50% of the required manpower.
- Recruitment bottlenecks: The sector is unable to offer industry-matching salaries or direct hiring.
- Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) Crisis: It also highlighted the shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) and the issue of fatigue among controllers.
- It also criticised the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which handles the civilian air traffic control function in India, for not adhering to duty time limitations for ATCOs.
- Operational & Infrastructure Gaps: The Aircraft induction is outpacing airport expansion, which is straining facilities & safety margins.
- There is a high recurrence of runway incursions, bird strikes, and engine failures without effective remedial measures.
- Economic & Strategic Vulnerabilities: 85% dependence on foreign Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) facilities is leading to strategic weakness.
- There are helicopter safety lapses in hilly terrains due to a lack of a uniform regulatory framework & specialised pilot training.
- The current mismatch between recruitment and training capacity, coupled with operational overload, poses a direct and ongoing threat to airspace safety.
Major Recommendations
- DGCA Reforms: Grant full financial & administrative autonomy; allow direct recruitment & competitive salaries.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) Safety: Develop a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS); conduct staffing audits; upgrade automation with AI-based systems.
- Capacity Planning: Formulate a National Capacity Alignment Plan to synchronise airport growth with airline fleet expansion.
- Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) Policy: Incentivise the domestic MRO sector via rationalised taxation & policy support.
- Operational Safety: Mandate root-cause analysis for high-risk events; strengthen remedial programmes.
- Helicopter Operations: Create a uniform national regulatory framework and terrain-specific pilot training.
| Regulation of the Aviation Sector in India – The Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for the formulation of national policies for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector. 1. It is responsible for the administration of the Aircraft Act, 1934, Aircraft Rules, 1937, and various other legislations of the aviation sector. 2. It exercises administrative control over attached and autonomous organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and affiliated Public Sector Undertakings. – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the regulatory body primarily dealing with safety issues. 1. It is responsible for the regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for the enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards. 2. It also coordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. – Airports Authority of India (AAI): The AAI is responsible for managing and developing civil aviation infrastructure, including airports and air navigation services. – Bureau of Civil Aviation Security: The main responsibilities of BCAS include laying down standards and measures with respect to the security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India. – Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs): India enters into bilateral agreements with other countries to regulate air services between them. These agreements outline the number of flights, routes, and other operational details between the two countries. |
Conclusion
- The committee’s findings underscore that, while India’s civil aviation sector is on a growth trajectory, its long-term health is contingent on addressing these foundational issues of regulation, human factors, and infrastructure alignment.
Source: IE
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