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Parliamentary Committee Demands Full Autonomy for DGCA Following Air India Tragedy, ETTravelWorld

The department-related parliamentary standing committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its 380th report tabled in the parliament this week, has called for urgent and time-bound action on the part of the government to give a “full administrative and financial autonomy” to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator of the country.

In the wake of the recent tragic accident involving an Air India flight in Ahmedabad, in which over 260 lives were lost, the report by the parliamentary committee chaired by Sanjay Kumar Jha gains very high importance.

Despite repeated recommendations of multiple empowered committees constituted by the government over the last two decades, the parliamentary committee expressed dismay in delaying the crucial recommendation of autonomy to a highly critical body entrusted to ensure the safety of the aviation sector.

“….Incremental solutions are no longer sufficient. A fundamental structural reform is urgently required,” the report says.

DGCA in its current form is not in a position to discharge its duties, the report notes.

The parliamentary committee, while noting with disappointment the almost 50 per cent shortage in the professional workforce in a very critical agency like DGCA, said that it shows the “vulnerability that exists at the heart of India’s safety oversight system.

Among the proposed changes that are being welcomed by the air traffic control officers (ATCOs) is the minimum period of rest prescribed after night duties. By current norms, at least 48 hours must be given between the end of two shifts; in the draft, it has been increased to 54 hours.

As against the approved strength of 1063 technical and regulatory personnel, the authority operates with 553 personnel, which is a 50 per cent shortfall. While the aviation sector has seen unprecedented and remarkable expansion with passenger traffic soaring to 239.4 million in 2024-25, that brings with it fresh challenges in the safety landscape.

The report records the “paradox” that exists when it comes to safety for a sector which has very high international validation by agencies like ICAO and the US FAA, and the evidence of significant systemic weaknesses on the ground.

The report also expresses grave concern over the persistent ATCO shortages and the high workload of air traffic controllers. The committee has called for a comprehensive staffing audit of ATCOs.