NHRC Summons Surat Collector Over Airport Safety Negligence

Surat | Gujarat —  In a scathing indictment of official inaction, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Surat District Collector Dr. Sourabh Pardhi, summoning him for a hearing on October 15. The move follows a complaint filed by Sanjay Ezhava, president of the Surat Airport Action Committee (SAAC), who alleged gross negligence in addressing high-rise buildings obstructing the flight path of Surat Airport.

The controversy dates back to a joint obstruction survey conducted by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in 2018, which found violations of NOC norms in 41 projects out of nearly 50. Under the Aircraft Rules, 1994, these projects were directed to reduce their height.

While 14 projects voluntarily agreed to lower their structures, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in August 2021 passed 27 final orders directing developers to comply within 60 days. However, 21 builders challenged the DGCA orders in the Gujarat High Court, while six projects—Florence, Jash Residency, Sarjan Apartment, Fionna Apartment, Ravi Ratnam Apartment, and L&T Apartment—did not appeal, leaving them liable for immediate demolition.

Despite clear directives, the Collector of Surat failed to act for nearly three years, even after reminders from both the AAI and the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). In fact, on September 16, 2022, SMC’s Deputy Municipal Commissioner formally urged the Collector to act on the DGCA’s final order. No demolition was carried out.

The issue resurfaced dramatically after the June 12, 2025 Ahmedabad plane crash, which heightened concerns about aviation safety. Following the tragedy, Collector Pardhi wrote to the Airport Director on July 3, 2025, shifting the demolition responsibility to the AAI and SMC—a move critics say was an attempt to deflect blame.

Calling out this delay, complainant Sanjay Ezhava said, “For three years, the administration turned a blind eye, risking the lives of 70 lakh Surat residents. The Collector’s inaction only benefited powerful builders while compromising airport safety. This is not just negligence, it is a human rights violation.”

A senior member of SAAC added, “Had the orders been executed on time, Surat Airport would have been much safer today. Instead, the district administration played with fire.”

The NHRC’s intervention is being seen as a major development, potentially forcing accountability. Legal experts note that this is among the rare instances where human rights grounds have been invoked in an aviation safety matter, underlining the life-and-death consequences of official apathy.

Meanwhile, civil society activists have demanded strict action not just against the current Collector, but also against former Collector Ayush Oak, who also failed to act on the demolition orders.