The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has raised serious concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the iconic 11th-century Lingaraj Temple due to the close proximity of low-flying aircraft from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). The cultural body has urged authorities to take immediate corrective measures to prevent potential damage to the centuries-old monument.
Aircraft Flying Dangerously Close to Heritage Monument
According to a two-month study conducted by Anil Dhir, Convener of INTACH’s Bhubaneswar Chapter and a former trainee pilot, aircraft departing from the main runway of BPIA make an abrupt right turn soon after takeoff. This path brings them dangerously close to the Lingaraj Temple, often flying just 1,000 to 1,200 feet above ground level, directly over the 180-foot spire of the temple.
Dhir notes that aircraft from Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Airlines are among the primary offenders. He warns that the resulting vibrations and noise pollution pose a significant threat to the temple’s structural integrity, potentially leading to cracks, loosened stone joints, or even a collapse.
Call for Urgent Rerouting and Structural Protection
In a letter addressed to the Director of BPIA, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Culture Secretary’s advisory board, Dhir has requested a modification in the current flight path. He suggests a simple 10-second delay in the aircraft’s right or left turn after takeoff to avoid passing over the temple.
“Even this minor change in trajectory could protect a structure that has stood for over a millennium,” Dhir stated, citing photographic and video evidence—some taken by airline passengers—that illustrate how dangerously close the aircraft come to the monument.
Legal and Safety Concerns Amplify the Urgency
Flying over ASI-protected monuments is typically restricted under heritage protection regulations. However, the existing Standard Instrument Departure (SID) procedures currently allow aircraft to fly alarmingly close to the Lingaraj Temple, raising questions about enforcement and oversight.
The situation has heightened public anxiety, especially in light of a recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed more than 240 lives. Locals fear that continued negligence could lead to a cultural catastrophe or another air safety incident.
Monumental Heritage at Stake
INTACH emphasized the urgent need to preserve the Lingaraj Temple, one of Odisha’s most revered and architecturally significant monuments. “This isn’t just a heritage issue—it’s a matter of national cultural pride,” Dhir said. “The temple’s structural delicacy demands that aviation authorities and cultural bodies work together immediately to prevent irreversible damage.”
The appeal now lies with aviation authorities, ASI, and government stakeholders to act swiftly in rerouting flights and safeguarding one of India’s architectural gems.
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