The Pathankot airbase was attacked in January last year. file photo

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, February 17

High-rise structures posing a security threat to the Pathankot airbase and the Army’s ammunition depot, one of the biggest in the county in terms of size and volume, have become the proverbial Achilles Heel for the district administration and the Municipal Corporation (MC).The civil authorities, who are under pressure from defence officials to raze these buildings to ensure the safety of the airbase, have now decided to conduct a comprehensive survey before deciding on the future course of action.Mayor Anil Vasudeva claimed that these houses and shopping complexes could not immediately be brought down as a majority of them have been built after taking the MC’s approval.Rules say that no structure can come up within 100 m of the airbase and 1,000 m from the ammunition depot. Defence officers have for long been blaming the MC for the haphazard constructions compromising the security aspect of these high-profile entities.It was in the aftermath of January 2 airbase attack that the focus shifted to these buildings, but after a few months the issue was swept under the carpet. Last year, the Bombay High Court had ordered the demolition of buildings near the Lohegaon Air Force Station in Pune sending shockwaves among Pathankot residents.Recently, a Parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs had raised concerns about such structures.“They are virtual encroachments keeping in view the construction restrictions. If we have to protect the airbase, it is imperative to raze them. The station is one of the strategically most forward airbases for both war and peacetime surveillance. One can imagine the implications if it faces an encore of the January 2 attack,” said a defence officer.The flyover on the NH-1 on the Jammu-Pathankot road has also come under the scanner as the entire airbase is visible from the overbridge.“Airfields were set up by the British far away from the civilian population to secure operational installations from possible intrusion or trespass. To ensure that a distance is maintained, a special law called the Works of Defence Act, 1903, was enacted. However, with the increase in population, people began constructions near these installations. Nevertheless, we are bound to fine a solution,” said Mayor Vasudeva.

Threat to security

• Rules say no structure can come up within 100 m of the airbase and 1,000 m fromthe ammo depot.
• Defence officers have been blaming the MC for thehaphazard constructionscompromising security.