Repeated calls to Pune MP and minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol regarding whether the ministry intended to audit FTOs and unlicensed airstrips went unanswered. Experts, however, insisted that the exercise was urgently needed. “Flying activity has gone up significantly and many small airports and airstrips are now frequently used by private charter aircraft. Given this, conducting an audit to assess infrastructure, operations and overall safety is extremely important,” Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (retd) told TOI, stressing the need for corrective measures based on the findings.Maharashtra has one of the highest numbers of airports and airstrips across the country. Baramati facility, which features a table-top runway, is among them. It was transferred from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation to MADC last year. Queries sent to MADC vice-chairman and managing director Swati Pandey, seeking details of the planned development, elicited no response. Sources, however, indicated that the state might either prepare a fresh detailed project report (DPR) or revise the DPR earlier transferred by MIDC on Ajit Pawar’s instructions.Aviation expert Deepak Shastri said pilots often operated under vulnerable conditions due to privatisation and unemployment pressures. “Given the high costs and uncertainties involved, adherence to safety norms can easily get diluted, sometimes at the risk of pilots’ own lives. Authorities must simplify processes and create an ethical, supportive environment, particularly in private aviation,” he told TOI.Aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar said inspections alone were inadequate. “The frequency of checks must increase, and DGCA should take swift and strict action in cases of non-compliance. Regulatory oversight of FTOs and non-scheduled operators needs urgent strengthening, especially regarding pilot training standards and aircraft airworthiness. Airports serving developing towns like Baramati should not be allowed to remain uncontrolled,” he said.Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Avialaz Consultants, told TOI, “DGCA is advised to strengthen its audit processes at uncontrolled airfields, and also across NSOPs and private flying academies that use such airfields. A robust physical audit of all these facilities and companies will ensure that the travellers across India get greater confidence in the systems.”
