Kolkata airport sees sharp decline in bird strike incidents due to improved waste management
Times of India | 25 May 2025
123 Kolkata: The number of bird strike and near-miss incidents at Kolkata airport has dropped significantly in recent months following a coordinated cleanliness initiative, airport authorities said on Saturday.The removal of multiple open garbage dumpsites and introduction of covered containers around the airport played a key role in this decline, according to findings from a recent review meeting involving officials from various agencies and the airport management. Open garbage dumps are a problem as they attract scavengers that then pose a threat to flight operations.Between Jan and April 2025, only four confirmed bird strike incidents were reported, a considerable improvement compared from 2024 when 26 incidents were reported and 2023 when there were 18 incidents. "Municipal authorities have reported that garbage is being cleaned regularly, and with more closed garbage vats being introduced, the frequency of cleaning will increase," said Kolkata airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria, particularly lauding the proactive efforts of Madhyamgram municipality in improving the situation.The data was presented during the Aerodrome Environment Management Committee (AEMC) meeting held on Thursday at the airport. The meeting was attended by Nandini Chakraborty, Principal Secretary of Hill and Home Affairs, Mukesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, and senior officials from the PWD, Urban Development, BMC, and surrounding municipalities.TOI earlier reported on several measures taken by airport authorities, including a comprehensive bird and wildlife hazard assessment and the deployment of bird-scaring devices that emit sonic and ultrasonic waves to deter birds during aircraft landing and takeoff. "The bird hit incidents have decreased in recent times. Principal Secretary advised to continue the preventive measures and take further measures to ensure nil bird incidents," a senior official who was part of the meeting said.The most recent bird strike occurred on April 17, when an IndiGo flight to Mumbai was hit shortly after taking off at around 10 PM. Another incident was reported on February 9 involving an Air India Express flight from Kochi during landing. Both aircraft sustained damage to the nose due to the impact.Airport officials noted that pigeons, kites, and lapwings are commonly spotted near the airport and pose serious safety hazards. While most bird strikes result in minor damage, collisions with windshields or bird ingestion into engines can be extremely dangerous. A report from a specialised agency hired by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) identified an open garbage pit near the HMV area in Dum Dum as a significant concern, recommending its closure due to proximity to flight paths.New garbage collection sites and uncovered meat shops along the runway approach path were also flagged as areas needing immediate attention.Additional problematic locations mentioned in the report included open dumps near Airport Gate No. 3, Gouripur bus stand, Salua Market, and areas behind the airport perimeter wall—many of which lacked proper waste disposal infrastructure. "The process of replacing open garbage vats with covered garbage compactor units is underway," said Barun Natta, Vice Chairman of Dum Dum Municipality. "The State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) is also working to prevent garbage accumulation at the Belghoria Expressway dump yard by reducing the height of garbage mounds, which attract birds."Year: Confirmed/ Suspected/ Total2018: 9 /31 /402019: 7 /45 /522020: 10 /23 /332021: 10 /52 /622022: 9 /55 /642023: 18 /91 /1092024: 26 /64 /902025: (till April 23) 4 /19 /23Legal framework: According to Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, it is illegal to slaughter animals, dispose of garbage, or engage in any activities likely to attract birds or animals within a 10-kilometre radius of an airport. Violations are punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to Rs10 lakhs, or both. MSID:: 121379458 413 |