AAI officials said the antenna was placed for improving the VHF range, making the movements of choppers safer. A senior AAI official said, “Pilots and ATCOs always reported on a loss of communication while flying in the north sector. “The antenna was placed around three months back to help the pilots,” explained an AAI official. A technical committee under AAI suggested using the antenna mast lying unused at the radio range in Santacruz,” the official added. However, now, AAI says the antenna has been placed for the betterment of the pilots but the stakeholders allege they weren’t made aware of any antenna installation.

Source: Mid-Day June 14, 2016 04:07 UTC