20 October,2016 04:33 PM IST | | A Correspondent
Deputy General Manager (Aviation Safety of Western Region) of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Mangala Narsimhan, who exposed various violations by the Airport Authority of India while giving permissions to high-rises coming in flight paths, was allegedly barred from entering her office in Andheri on Wednesday
Deputy General Manager (Aviation Safety of Western Region) of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Mangala Narsimhan, who exposed various violations by the Airport Authority of India while giving permissions to high-rises coming in flight paths, was allegedly barred from entering her office in Andheri on Wednesday. She has also been transferred to Kolkata.
On Wednesday, Mangala was denied entry to her office stating that these were orders from higher ups. Mangala was made to wait outside for more than four hours.
"Over the years, I have brought to light the irregularities in the department. Because of this, an inquiry had also been initiated against officials responsible for the same. These people fear action and are using such cheap tactics to target me, but I am not afraid of anyone. Yesterday, when I reached the office, they barred my entry and I had to wait outside the gate from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. When I asked the security personnel to show me the letter that states my entry has been barred, they refused. I am going to take legal help in this issue," Narsimhan said.
It should be noted that because of Narsimhan's exposes, there are various inquiries currently on. A PIL, too, has been filed in the Bombay High Court on the issue. Narsimhan has alleged that the decision to transfer her to Kolkata were in violation of AAI rules.
"AAI rules have been violated when my transfer order came. An AAI order dated June21 clearly states that transfers for 2016-17 have been completed and no more transfers would take place this year. By transferring me, they have violated their own orders," she said.
"I have worked all through last week (except for the usual holidays) and also on October 17 and 18, so when I went this morning, I was shocked when the CISF guards at the gate to the ATC Complex stopped me saying that they have a letter stating that I should not be allowed to enter it based on a letter issued by AAI, Mumbai. As I am a DGM, my permit is for entry into not only Mumbai airport but all airports in the country.
I asked for a copy of the letter, but the CISF guards refused saying that it is AAI's fault if I was not given a copy. I waited at the gate till 2.30 pm and then came home," Narsimhan said.
Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra , Chairman of AAI said, "At present, I am not in a position to comment on the issue."
