The Indian Government has conducted a “very thorough” review of the country’s National Standard Operating Procedures (NSOPs) and the safety of uncontrolled airfields following a recent plane crash involving NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The exercise aims to assess existing aviation protocols and identify gaps in operational safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Officials said the review focused on both procedural adherence and the physical conditions of airstrips that lack full air traffic control coverage. The study examined whether pilots and ground staff are equipped to handle emergencies in uncontrolled or semi-controlled environments, including smaller regional airports and private airfields frequently used by political figures and business leaders.

While the crash did not result in any fatalities, the incident has raised concerns over the safety measures for VIP movements by air. Sources indicated that the government is exploring enhanced monitoring systems, updated pilot training, and stricter compliance checks to ensure that standard operating procedures are not only documented but rigorously implemented.

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Experts note that uncontrolled airfields, often located in remote areas, pose unique challenges due to limited ground support, minimal navigational aids, and reliance on pilot experience. Strengthening NSOPs at such locations has been a longstanding recommendation from civil aviation authorities, and the recent incident has given these concerns renewed urgency.

The Centre’s review also comes amid broader efforts to modernize India’s regional aviation infrastructure. Upgrading safety protocols at smaller airstrips is expected to benefit not only VIP travel but also commercial and general aviation, enhancing overall flight safety across the country.

Moving forward, officials indicated that a set of recommendations will be presented to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and relevant state authorities. The aim is to ensure that lessons from the Pawar plane crash translate into concrete policy improvements, bolstering aviation safety for all stakeholders.

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