NEW DELHI, Jan 29: The Air Traffic Control at Indira Gandhi International Airport here on Wednesday faced a difficult situation when the helicopters carrying Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Sitaram Kesri landed at the airport even as a NOTAM (notice to airmen) had been issued banning all non-scheduled and private aircraft from taking off, landing or flying within a 400 km radius of the Capital.``A NOTAM is issued every year from January 26 to 29 to enable Indian Air Force aircraft to conduct their exercise and practice for the fly past for the Republic Day celebrations. Therefore, between 2 PM and 6.30 PM during the said days movement of non-scheduled air traffic is restricted for safety reasons,'' pointed an ATC personnel, adding that the ban could only be eased if the Ministry of Home Affairs gave a special clearance and the information is forwarded to the Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs).
The two Congress leaders along with their security men flew out of Delhi in two different Pawan Hans helicopters(Daulphin) to attend the party rally in Rohtak.
``We had informed the captain of the aircraft about the NOTAM before their departure. And also appraised the deputy director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the situation,'' said a controller, adding that they had been given no information of any MHA clearance given to these copters.
The two helicopters were, however, given permission to land as sending them back to Rohtak would have posed security problems for the leaders on board.
``Landing in such a situation could be a safety risk if the vehicle comes in proximity to a flying defence aircraft,'' pointed a controller.
The deputy director, DGCA, when contacted by The Indian Express, refused to comment on the incident. Meanwhile Vincent George, secretary to Sonia Gandhi, said that they were not aware of any problem related to their landing or take-off clearance from the MHA in such a situation.
Visit may help Cong fortunes in Mandvi
Not long ago Mandvi Lok Sabhaseat and Chhitubhai Gamit were mentioned in the same breath. After all, he has been a Congress MP of this tribal dominated constituency for the last six consecutive terms. But indications are that he may find himself short of breath in this round of the hustings. The seat was considered a cakewalk for the Congress. However, the last elections saw Gamit's margin tumbled to a little over 30,000. The relatively low margin shows his diminishing clout among the tribals.
If Gamit still makes it to the Lok Sabha for the seventh time he would definitely be indebted to the Congress star campaigner Sonia Gandhi, who has not only breathed life into campaigning but has also enlivened the sagging spirits of a dying set up.
Though the Congress would wish that Sonia's appeal percolates to all the constituencies in the region, Gamit is one to benefit the most. Gamit who found himself cornered till last week, must be thanking his stars after the immensely successful Bardoli meeting that brought Congress workers of all hueto the historic town. But how many of those who ventured to Bardoli to have a glimpse of Madam will vote for the party is anybody's guess.
The BJP is hazarding a guess - not more than 25 per cent. It is sure that Mansinh Patel, who lost last time, will have no problems halting the magnificent run of Gamit. BJP leader Arvind Godiwala says the party has been able to plug all loopholes by gaining a toehold in this region.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
