Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak,2024
Parliament of India
Long title A Bill to provide for regulation and control of the design, manufacture, maintenance, possession, use, operation, sale, export and import of aircraft and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Citation	Bill No. 74 of 2024
Territorial extent	Whole of India
Enacted by	Lok Sabha
Enacted	31 August 2024
Legislative history
Bill title	THE BHARATIYA VAYUYAN VIDHEYAK, 2024
Introduced by	Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation
Introduced	31 August 2024
First reading	08 August 2024
Related legislation
Aircraft Act 1934
Status: Pending — before Lok Sabha

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill(lit. Indian Aviation Bill, 2024) is a proposed legislation introduced to replace the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934. The primary objective of this bill is to modernize and streamline the regulatory framework governing civil aviation in India.

Background

The need for a comprehensive overhaul of India's air traffic management system was identified due to the rapid growth in air travel and the corresponding increase in air traffic density.

The bill was formulated after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including aviation experts, industry representatives, and regulatory authorities.

Objective

The primary objective of the Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 is to reform and streamline the processes and protocols associated with air traffic management in India. It aims to integrate advanced technologies and international best practices to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic within the Indian airspace.

Provisions

• Regulatory Framework:
  • Establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for ATM operations.
  • Aligns with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • Introduces clear guidelines for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Mandates the adoption of satellite-based navigation systems (e.g., GPS, ADS-B) for more precise and reliable air traffic control.
  • Promotes the use of automated air traffic control systems to enhance efficiency and reduce human error.
  • Encourages the integration of data-driven decision-making tools and advanced analytics for better air traffic management.
• Safety Enhancements:
  • Implements stricter safety protocols and regular safety audits for ATM operations.
  • Requires the establishment of a centralized safety monitoring system to track and address potential risks in real-time.
  • Enhances communication and coordination mechanisms between different air traffic control units and aviation stakeholders.
• Training and Certification:
  • Sets comprehensive guidelines for the training and certification of air traffic controllers and related personnel.
  • Introduces continuous professional development programs to keep personnel updated with the latest technologies and practices.
  • Establishes a national training academy for specialized training in air traffic management.
• Environmental Considerations:
  • Includes provisions to reduce the environmental impact of air traffic operations.
  • Promotes fuel-efficient routing and flight planning to minimize carbon emissions.
  • Encourages measures to reduce noise pollution around airports and in air traffic corridors.
• Infrastructure Upgrades:
  • Outlines a phased approach for upgrading existing ATM infrastructure, including control towers, communication systems, and surveillance equipment.
  • Provides for the establishment of new air traffic control centers in strategic locations to handle increased air traffic volume.
  • Encourages investment in resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions and other disruptions.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:
  • Emphasizes collaboration with international aviation bodies and neighboring countries to enhance regional air traffic coordination.
  • Establishes a stakeholder advisory committee to provide input on the implementation and ongoing management of the bill's provisions.
  • Promotes public-private partnerships to leverage industry expertise and resources.

Implementation and Monitoring

The bill outlines a phased approach for implementation, with specific timelines for the adoption of new technologies and the upgrading of existing infrastructure.

It also emphasizes collaboration with international aviation bodies and neighboring countries to enhance regional air traffic coordination.

Criticism

The opposition parties criticised the Government on the name of the legislation and argued that its name is difficult to pronounce as the legislation title was drafted in Hindi. Critics argued that the timeline for implementing advanced technologies and infrastructure upgrades was overly ambitious and did not account for the current state of India's air traffic management infrastructure.