Representative image NEW DELHI: In a major reform to strengthen aviation safety oversight and better protect air travellers’ interests, India has set the old plan of restructuring the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into a financially and administratively autonomous organisation like SEBI or TRAI into motion. A Parliamentary panel had sought the restructuring to give teeth to the regulator as air traffic has grown exponentially in the last decade while in its current setup the DGCA battles legacy issues like staff shortage which can’t be tackled at the required pace.Based on the parliamentary committee’s advice and directions of the Union aviation ministry, the DGCA prepared a report outlining its proposed restructuring. The same is learnt to have been submitted this week to the ministry, including secretary Samir Kumar Sinha who is keen on having an autonomous aviation regulatory body on the lines of telecom and securities market regulators (TRAI & SEBI). Highly placed sources say the restructuring will happen in a “staggered manner” after the ministry takes a view on the DGCA report.It is learnt that the proposed restructuring of DGCA into CAA may also put in place a dedicated system to protect consumer interests and ensure their grievances are promptly redressed. The proposed CAA with statutory status will also see the latter getting a funding mechanism with the options being levying a small charge on flyers. A self-funded regulator not dependent on govt for grants will be able to offer market-linked salaries competitively to attract talent and invest in latest technology for effective oversight.The idea of having a truly autonomous Civil Aviation Authority has been in the works for years but it has got a push in recent times due to the growth in India’s air traffic with airlines having close to 2,000 planes on order; dozens of new airports opening and the skies getting crowded requiring more safety oversight. DGCA manpower didn’t keep pace with the growing air traffic. It recently started creating a “pool” of its retired technical officers “to provide advisory support in the certification process” due to the manpower crunch. “It has often been observed that applicants and entities face difficulties navigating the entire process, leading to delays and compliance challenges,” the regulator admits in its note for creating this pool.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBangladesh To Seek Interpol’s Help To Extradite Sheikh Hasina From India’Fatwa Issued…’: BJP Jabs ‘Indira Nazi Congress’ For Criticising Tharoor Over Modi Speech PraiseRussia Showcases Missile-Only Pantsir SMD-E Air Defence System At Dubai Airshow 2025’We Hit India…’: Pakistani Leader’s Explosive Admission Unmasks Islamabad’s Terror Links Again’Can’t Rule Out All-Out War’: Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif Rattled Over Army Chief’s Sindoor 2.0 WarningSydney Horror Crash Kills 8-Month Pregnant Indian After Teen BMW Driver Slams Into Family WalkIndia Expands Its Diplomatic Presence In Russia As Jaishankar Highlights Strategic New ConsulatesTaliban Trade Minister Lands in Delhi Amid Major Afghan Shift Toward India After Pakistan ConflictChina’s Propaganda Strike On India Exposed, US Report Details Fake Jet Debris And J-35 Sales TacticsSachin Tendulkar Recalls Receiving Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Blessings Before 2011 WC123PhotostoriesAre you eating chia seeds the wrong way? Harvard doctor reveals the 3 healthiest ways to consume them3 Ayurveda-approved drinks to reduce fatty liver naturally10 regional egg dishes from different parts of India5 beautiful white animals that look like furry snowballs8 things life teaches us the hard wayFrom Rajkummar Rao-Patralekhaa to Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh: Bollywood’s adorable baby girl squadFrom protection to independence: Smriti Irani’s modern parenting mantraSalman Khan to Shanaya Kapoor: 5 viral looks of the day setting today’s style mood8 modern-sounding baby names that begin with letter ‘K’How to make South Indian-style Beetroot Rasam123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodaySheikh Hasina VerdictBihar Government FormationGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingBrittany LucicAlex Ovechkin WifePaolo BancheroStephen CurryPatrick BeverleyLeBron JamesStephen A SmithCade CunninghamDraymond GreenSophie Cunningham
NEW DELHI: In a major reform to strengthen aviation safety oversight and better protect air travellers’ interests, India has set the old plan of restructuring the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into a financially and administratively autonomous organisation like SEBI or TRAI into motion. A Parliamentary panel had sought the restructuring to give teeth to the regulator as air traffic has grown exponentially in the last decade while in its current setup the DGCA battles legacy issues like staff shortage which can’t be tackled at the required pace.Based on the parliamentary committee’s advice and directions of the Union aviation ministry, the DGCA prepared a report outlining its proposed restructuring. The same is learnt to have been submitted this week to the ministry, including secretary Samir Kumar Sinha who is keen on having an autonomous aviation regulatory body on the lines of telecom and securities market regulators (TRAI & SEBI). Highly placed sources say the restructuring will happen in a “staggered manner” after the ministry takes a view on the DGCA report.It is learnt that the proposed restructuring of DGCA into CAA may also put in place a dedicated system to protect consumer interests and ensure their grievances are promptly redressed. The proposed CAA with statutory status will also see the latter getting a funding mechanism with the options being levying a small charge on flyers. A self-funded regulator not dependent on govt for grants will be able to offer market-linked salaries competitively to attract talent and invest in latest technology for effective oversight.The idea of having a truly autonomous Civil Aviation Authority has been in the works for years but it has got a push in recent times due to the growth in India’s air traffic with airlines having close to 2,000 planes on order; dozens of new airports opening and the skies getting crowded requiring more safety oversight. DGCA manpower didn’t keep pace with the growing air traffic. It recently started creating a “pool” of its retired technical officers “to provide advisory support in the certification process” due to the manpower crunch. “It has often been observed that applicants and entities face difficulties navigating the entire process, leading to delays and compliance challenges,” the regulator admits in its note for creating this pool.
