(a) whether Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has considered the option of installing the Engineered Materials Arrestor System (EMAS) at vulnerable airports to prevent aircraft from overshooting runways;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether Supreme Court has given notice to the DGCA in this regard and if so, the details thereof?
The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)
(a) and (b): Installation of EMAS (Engineered Material Arrestor System) at Mangalore Airport was considered by Airports Authority of India (AAI) in consultation with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in year 2015. However, EMAS was not considered operationally viable due to operational constraints and therefore, was not recommended by DGCA for implementation.;
(c): A PIL W.P. (C) No. 998/2020 Rajen Mehta vs. DGCA has been filed. The petitioner has prayed for issuance of direction to DGCA in respect of EMAS. Hon''ble Supreme Court of India vide Order dated 16.02.2021 has issued notice to DGCA to file a counter affidavit in the matter.