Indian DGCA’s Poor Hiring and Training Record Impairs Safety
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Indian DGCA’s Poor Hiring and Training Record Impairs Safety
Civil aviation literally gives a country wings. But a remarkably poor show by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) could clip India's growth. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has censured the DGCA unambiguously, highlighting how the latter is jeopardising passenger safety.
In its audit, the ICAO emphasises major concerns over the DGCA's underperformance in key areas like staff numbers and training for technical staff. While the DGCA has a sanctioned 574 technical positions, it only registers 307 - which includes 63 consultants and 53 personnel on deputation from airlines. In addition, despite being sanctioned 400 support staff, the DGCA only employs 283 - when Delhi's international airport alone handles over 700 flights and 60,000 passengers daily.
Ironically, the ICAO had made these very points in a 2006 audit but clearly, the DGCA learnt little then. Even a ministry of civil aviation working group report 2012 notes that with its squeezed staff numbers, the DGCA has effectively been crippled in safety studies, airline surveillance and airport service provisions. With vital staff like flight controllers lacking, it is no surprise 2012 saw a large number of near-misses in aircraft collisions in India. Estimates include 22 in 10 months - during a year considered the safest in international aviation history.
The DGCA's tardiness is impacting more than passenger safety today. It hurts future growth too. Like seaports in earlier times, airports are motors of economic growth now, transporting people, goods and businesses. The DGCA's shoddiness means both a painfully inadequate quantity and quality of Indian airports with staff to keep growth flying - as well as possibly, a sharp international downgrade. Just two years ago, India managed to escape the US Federal Aviation Administration downgrading it to sub-Saharan African levels, ironically when the aviation sector itself was booming within the country. At that time, a proper aviation regulatory mechanism was promised.
It hasn't yet appeared. But now, a downgrade might - which means airlines will reconsider whether India is a safe destination. Apart from tourism, this could hit proposed FDI growth too, meaning a loss of new jobs simply because the DGCA can't recruit well-qualified people for existing positions. To improve matters, the DGCA must be given autonomy to move faster on vital hiring and training. Otherwise, civil aviation will be one more area where the UPA government has failed the people.
DGCA’s poor hiring and training record impairs safety and could cause India turbulence - The Times of India
In its audit, the ICAO emphasises major concerns over the DGCA's underperformance in key areas like staff numbers and training for technical staff. While the DGCA has a sanctioned 574 technical positions, it only registers 307 - which includes 63 consultants and 53 personnel on deputation from airlines. In addition, despite being sanctioned 400 support staff, the DGCA only employs 283 - when Delhi's international airport alone handles over 700 flights and 60,000 passengers daily.
Ironically, the ICAO had made these very points in a 2006 audit but clearly, the DGCA learnt little then. Even a ministry of civil aviation working group report 2012 notes that with its squeezed staff numbers, the DGCA has effectively been crippled in safety studies, airline surveillance and airport service provisions. With vital staff like flight controllers lacking, it is no surprise 2012 saw a large number of near-misses in aircraft collisions in India. Estimates include 22 in 10 months - during a year considered the safest in international aviation history.
The DGCA's tardiness is impacting more than passenger safety today. It hurts future growth too. Like seaports in earlier times, airports are motors of economic growth now, transporting people, goods and businesses. The DGCA's shoddiness means both a painfully inadequate quantity and quality of Indian airports with staff to keep growth flying - as well as possibly, a sharp international downgrade. Just two years ago, India managed to escape the US Federal Aviation Administration downgrading it to sub-Saharan African levels, ironically when the aviation sector itself was booming within the country. At that time, a proper aviation regulatory mechanism was promised.
It hasn't yet appeared. But now, a downgrade might - which means airlines will reconsider whether India is a safe destination. Apart from tourism, this could hit proposed FDI growth too, meaning a loss of new jobs simply because the DGCA can't recruit well-qualified people for existing positions. To improve matters, the DGCA must be given autonomy to move faster on vital hiring and training. Otherwise, civil aviation will be one more area where the UPA government has failed the people.
DGCA’s poor hiring and training record impairs safety and could cause India turbulence - The Times of India
