The High Court on Monday directed the State government not to allow use of the Jakkur aerodrome for non-aviation activities in future without taking prior permission from the court.
Justice A.S. Bopanna passed the interim order on a petition filed by Agni Aero Sports Aventure Academy Pvt. Ltd., which is using aerodrome for flying and training purposes, questioning the use of the runway for a drag race by Geneva Services. The court, though had not interfered with conduct of the race held on December 9 and 10, had asked the government to meet the petitioner and organisers of the race for ensuring that the interest of both parties are safeguarded.
However, the petitioner on Monday complained to the court that the government did not adhere to court’s direction while pointing out that another round of the race is scheduled to be conducted at the aerodrome shortly.
Capt. Aravind Sharma of the petitioner firm submitted an affidavit stating that on Sunday only one flight of 25 minutes for a person, who had come all the way from Mysuru, could be conducted and they had to send back 31 other enthusiasts, who were scheduled to fly on Sunday.
Similarly, 25 enthusiasts could not be flown on Saturday with the hope of accommodating them on other days. It was also stated that a five-minute flying was conducted with the CEO of Geneva Services before vacating the runway so as to honour their request to accommodate their activities.
It has been contended in the petition that the aerodrome is meant for flying activities and not for organising drag races, which would cause damage to the runway and other infrastructure of the aerodrome.
