The Union as well as the Maharashtra government, often face flak for the ‘expenses’ incurred while launching policies or schemes. The government, particularly, the Union government was recently criticised by the Bombay High Court for ‘wasting’ several crores of public funds. The high court criticised the government for failing to ensure smooth functioning of airports in Maharashtra. It has warned officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, of strict action. A division bench of Justices Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari and Bharati Dangre accordingly directed demolition of a 90-metre chimney of a sugar factory, which obstructed take-offs and landings at the Solapur airport. In its significant ruling, the bench observed, “In Maharashtra, the airports have been identified and constructed already. Even the runways were laid, however, the other facilities and amenities enabling the air-crafts to land and take-off were not provided for several reasons. That is how these airports were rendered non-functional. Thus, the public funds’ investment running into several crores of rupees was wasted.” The judgment, authored by Justice Dharmadhikari, also made a reference to the inaugural function of the ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik’ (UDAN) scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “With great fanfare and inaugural ceremonies presided over by none other than the PM of India, the union government proclaimed that now even a common man can fly and reach his destination by air. This scheme was the one by which the dreams of thousands of people was to come true and equally, the regional connectivity was to be achieved,” Justice Dharmadhikari remarked. The observations were made while dismissing a plea filed by Siddheshwar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Limited challenging the communication served upon it by the AAI. As per this communication, the AAI has asked it to remove the chimney or relocate the same, as it falls in the take-off and landing path of aircraft. The factory on the other hand sought ‘sympathy’ citing the dependence of more than 26000 families, who are related to the factory. The factory accused AAI of being ‘discriminatory’ as it allowed VIPs to use the same runway. “It is claimed the Solapur airport is not operational regularly and it is used only by the VIPs. We do not see how VIPs were allowed to use it or permissions were given for the air-crafts carrying them to land with the obstacle at site. This is a clear case of compromise with air safety by accommodating a wrong-doer,” Justice Dharmadhikari said. During the course of the hearing, the bench noted the AAI and other authorities including the ministry of civil aviation, did not take steps to remove the chimney and instead suggested the factory to get a ‘proper’ advise. Taking a note of the ‘collusion’ between the officials and the ‘wrong-doer’ factory, the judges said, “We warn all authorities and parties that we will take strict action in future in the event we find that their acts and actions are apparently collusive and resulting in compromising the safety of aircraft operations. The paramount consideration for the AAI and DGCA ought to be the safety of the passengers and the crew.”