Airport urges NMC to keep areas with meat shops in flight path clean

Time of India

5 days ago

Nagpur: As airports are reviewing their safety measures following the Ahmedabad crash, Mihan India Limited (MIL) has once again written to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to keep the areas in the flight path of Nagpur airport clear of garbage to prevent bird hits.
The meat shops in Sonegaon and Jaitala, areas close to the airport, remain a cause of concern. Large birds like eagles and kites are attracted to the chunks of discarded meat thrown around the shops, threatening bird strikes. In 2018, a Delhi-bound Air India flight carrying 180 passengers was grounded after a bird struck the right wing of the aircraft.
NMC has been requested to ensure that shops keep the meat covered so that birds are not attracted to it.
MIL, the state govt agency which currently operates the airport, has been sending such letters to NMC from time to time. Things have improved over time. Last week, yet another communication was sent, said the senior airport director, Abid Ruhi.
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Ruhi said it's not just meat chunks alone, even other garbage attracts the birds. An NMC official confirmed receiving the letter. "This is part of a regular process, and the civic body has been keeping the area clean despite challenges," the official said.
Not just birds of prey looking for meat pieces, even kabutarbazi (pigeon flying competitions) poses a threat to the aircraft, said a source in the airport. "Pigeons reared by the locals for the sport hover above the airport. As the pigeons constantly fly in a fixed circuit, there is a likelihood of bird strikes. Repeated measures have helped control kabutarbazi too," said the source.
In winter, the airport has to keep an eye on the migratory birds, especially the Siberian crane, that fly over the Ambazari Lake, which comes in the flight path. A designated bird watcher with binoculars tracks the movement and reports to the air traffic control tower if necessary, said a source. The white-colour cranes can be easily spotted, a source.