Ranchi: Flouting Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms, BJP President Rajnath Singh's chartered plane allegedly took off from Jharkhand's Dumka airport with only the headlights of jeeps to guide it over the dark, unlit runway on Monday evening.
Rajnath Singh, who was in Jharkhand for a one-day visit, landed at Dumka airport on Monday afternoon and drove to Godda district, BJP sources said.
Dumka airport has no lighting and the pilot reportedly told Rajnath Singh that he should return before 1700 hours IST for a safe take-off, a party leader told IANS.
But the party President was late and reached Dumka only after sunset at around 1815 hours IST.
When the pilot cited bad light and said he could not take-off, BJP workers allegedly brought five jeeps near the runway.
"Dumka does not come under the jurisdiction of the Ranchi ATC (air traffic control). Dumka airport comes under the jurisdiction of Kolkata ATC," Deputy General Manager of the ATC at the airport S Haldhar said.
Ranchi ATC sources said such lights are used in special cases, but this was a clear violation of DGCA guidelines.
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