Kolkata: In a bid to ensure safe flight operations from Kolkata Airport, the Bidhannagar Police have issued an order restricting hoisting of paper sky lanterns which is commonly known as phanush in the vicinity of the airport.
It may be mentioned that the paper sky lanterns have become immensely popular in the past two years and they get released during Kali Puja and Diwali all across the state. The activity has almost become a ritual as it is not that expensive and easy to hoist.
But it has been noticed that hoisting of paper sky lanterns is causing safety hazards for flight operations and the police have taken necessary steps on an immediate basis to check the same.
The police issued an order prohibiting the hoisting of paper sky lanterns and beaming of laser lights in the area under the jurisdiction of NSCBI Airport Police Station, Baguiati Police Station, Airport Police Station and Narayanpur Police Station. The area under the jurisdiction of these four police stations is around the airport and hoisting of paper sky lanterns cause difficulty in flight operations. So the decision was taken to restrict the same in this part of the area under the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
The order states: "This order will remain in force with effect from October 30 to December 29. The inspectors-in-charge of NSCBI Airport Police Station, Baguiati Police Station, Airport Police Station and Narayanpur Police Station will put up this order in the prominent places and also made an announcement through public addressing system for the information of all concern."
Sources added that necessary steps would be taken to create awareness among people in this connection.
Police will also be maintaining a vigil during Kali Puja and Diwali so that no one hoists paper sky lanterns or flashes beam laser lights in the area.