Laser shows often used in outdoor parties that shoot powerful multi-coloured beams into the night sky have been banned within a 10km radius from the airport ahead of Diwali and the party season as they pose a risk during take-off and landing of aircraft.

A notification issued by the Bidhannagar commissionerate on Thursday cited several problems faced by pilots of advancing aircraft as the reason for clamping a ban on laser lights.

The use of laser lights as part of dazzling laser shows at outdoor parties and events will not be allowed in several areas surrounding the airport such as New Town, Rajarhat, Kaikhali, several parts of Baguiati, Narayanpur, a senior officer of the commissionerate said.

“Copies of the notification will be sent to police stations for distribution among establishments such as

hotels and banquet halls. The strong and concentrated beams of light falling on the aircraft windshield and

cockpit windows can be blind pilots momentarily,” Kunal Agarwal, deputy commissioner, headquarters of the Bidhannagar commissionerate, said.

Aircraft often fly over Salt Lake and New Town before landing at the airport. Pilots have complained on several occasions in the past few years about laser lights creating inconvenience while landing, especially during Diwali and Kali Puja.

Eco Park in New Town hosts events where laser

lights are used. Banquet halls and hotels in New Town as well as the lining VIP Road and Jessore Road also host parties in winter that feature laser shows, an official of the Bidhannagar commissionerate said. Any person or establishment flouting the ban will be liable for arrest under

Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), he said.

Sky lanterns (phanush), a traditional feature of Diwali in this part of the world, has also been banned on the grounds of being a fire hazard.

“Sky lanterns can cause fire incidents with serious consequences within the airport premises as oil companies have fuel storage depots there is greater chance of a fire.Sky lanterns can also cause catastrophic accidents if they are sucked in by aircraft engines,” states the notification.

According to an officer in the North 24-Parganas district administration, the general manager of air traffic management in Calcutta has issued a letter about laser shows and sky lanterns in the airport's vicinity posing a threat to aviation safety.

Awareness programmes will be held to make people aware of the ban.