The Calcutta airport authorities have complained to police about laser beam
interference that was reported by a pilot flying a city-bound aircraft on Sunday night.

The complaint, which the airport police station received on Sunday, was forwarded to the Barasat police district as the coordinates from where the laser beams reportedly originated were in Madhyamgram. But the cops could not locate the origin of the laser beams based on the coordinates.

Recently, the Bidhannagar commissionerate issued prohibitory orders on the use of laser beams in areas near the airport that may cause disturbance to flights.

An officer of Barasat police said they, too, were contemplating banning the use of laser beams in zones close to the airport.

The pilot of the Calcutta-bound Indigo flight from Delhi, carrying 214 passengers and six crew members, reported momentary blinding while landing around 9.40pm on Sunday.

“We received the complaint through airport police station. Our team immediately rushed to the area whose coordinates were mentioned in the complaint. We could not locate any place where they were using any laser light. Only one birthday party venue was spotted in the zone, but there was no sign of any laser light equipment there,” said an officer.

The Calcutta airport has received several complaints of laser beam interference in the past few months. The complaints said pilots faced problems during take-off or landing.

The superintendent of police, Barasat, Pratiksha Jharkhariya, told Metro that they had contacted the district magistrate, North 24-Parganas, and requested for orders on the use of laser beams in the areas close to the airport.

“This is a very sensitive issue. We have already requested DM North 24-Parganas to take up the matter and issue orders similar to the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate,” Jharkhariya said.

She added that a few days ago, the Barasat police held meetings with residentsof high-rise buildings andthe management of hotelsand banquets near the airport, asking them not to uselaser beams at parties andceremonies.

“Parts of Madhyamgram, Duttapukur and Barasat police station areas are close to the airport. We are trying to implement the ban in these areas,” the SP said.