Gaya: The raised level of the Gaya-Bodh Gaya road amid ongoing widening and construction work has raised concerns among airport officials and other stakeholders over flight safety. Airport officials want the road level lowered by at least one metre as a stretch runs close to the runway near the airport’s eastern boundary.An airport official, who is not authorised to talk to the media, said incoming aircraft landed from this side and pilots had to be extra careful as, in some cases, planes came dangerously close to overloaded trucks crossing the road.Experts fear the ongoing widening and construction work could further raise the road level and reduce manoeuvring space for pilots. The work is being carried out without removing the existing road surface.Road construction department superintending engineer Ashok Kumar said the department had no role in the ongoing work, which was being carried out by the NHAI.NHAI project director Subhash Meena said the agency was widening only the stretch between Bodh Gaya and the Rajgir road intersection. The road east of the airport boundary falls under the road construction department, he said.Airport Advisory Committee member Anup Kedia said the issue was raised at its last meeting, where airport officials made a video presentation on the risks. “Passenger/road user safety was paramount and the airport authorities and other official should jointly work in that direction,” he said, adding the issue should be resolved before the tourist season.Gaya air users also flagged a lack of coordination among departments and agencies. “The matter should be addressed in all sincerity,” said frequent flyer Sanjay Sahay.
