INTACH Flags Low-Flying Planes Near Lingaraj Temple

Bhubaneswar: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has expressed serious concerns over low-altitude flight paths of aircraft taking off from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), warning of potential damage to the historic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town.

Anil Dhir, Convener of INTACH’s Bhubaneswar Chapter, has written to the Director of BPIA, the Superintendent Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Bhubaneswar Circle, and the State Culture Secretary, flagging the issue based on findings from a two-month study he conducted.

According to Dhir, aircraft departing from the airport’s main runway (14/32) often execute an immediate ascending right turn, in many cases even before their landing gear is fully retracted. This manoeuvre brings the aircraft alarmingly close to the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple, whose towering spire rises to a height of 180 feet (55 meters). He estimates that several planes pass within just 1,000 to 1,200 feet above ground level during this turn.

Dhir, who has prior training as a pilot, acknowledged that the current flight path follows the Standard Instrument Departure (SID) protocol established by the Bhubaneswar Air Traffic Control (ATC). However, he argues that it is not essential and can be modified. “A delay of just ten seconds in initiating the right turn after takeoff would shift the aircraft’s trajectory away from the temple, ensuring a safe buffer zone,” he wrote.

INTACH warns that such low-level overflights, particularly during takeoff when engine thrust and vibrations are at their peak, pose significant risks to the temple’s structural integrity. Already in a fragile condition, the centuries-old monument could suffer further from cracks, joint loosening, and long-term damage due to the intense vibrations and noise.

Supporting his claims, Dhir has submitted photographs and in-flight videos showing aircraft—especially those operated by Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa—flying dangerously close to the temple. He noted that other flights using the same runway have managed to ascend in a straight path, thereby avoiding the monument’s airspace.

Flying over centrally protected monuments is generally restricted, with ASI rules prohibiting even drone usage near such sites. Dhir emphasized that these regulations should apply to manned aircraft as well. Citing the recent Air India Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad, he called for urgent review and action.

In his appeal, Dhir has requested that airport authorities amend the current SID chart for runway 14/32 to prioritize the safety of the Lingaraj Temple and other historic structures in the area.