After Ajit Pawar's Plane Crash, DGCA & States Set To Jointly Oversee 400 'Uncontrolled' Airstrips

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Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 07:26 IST

The Civil Aviation Ministry is reviewing 400 uncontrolled airstrips for uniform standards after the Baramati crash that killed Ajit Pawar.

The Baramati crash has renewed focus on safety at non-ATC airfields. (PTI/File)

The Civil Aviation Ministry has launched a nationwide review of about 400 uncontrolled airstrips, aiming to create a uniform set of operating standards and a shared oversight system involving both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and state governments, according to officials.

The exercise will assess shortcomings in basic infrastructure, availability of communication systems, firefighting preparedness, and the level of coordination with district and local agencies. Most of these airstrips are owned by state governments and fall outside the DGCA’s regular surveillance framework, resulting in limited regulatory supervision, Hindustan Times reported.

The move to inspect these facilities and draft uniform guidelines comes in the wake of the January 28 aircraft crash in Baramati, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

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First Published:

February 09, 2026, 07:26 IST

News india After Ajit Pawar's Plane Crash, DGCA & States Set To Jointly Oversee 400 'Uncontrolled' Airstrips

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