With two incidents of bird hits reported at Madurai airport last year, Airports Authority of India has raised its concern over the poor upkeep of the area around the airport that attracts birds.
During Airport Environmental Management Committee meeting held at the airport on Tuesday, AAI officials pointed at dumping of garbage in Perungudi. The garbage is not often promptly removed, thus attracting birds.
In the process, the birds come close to the airport and result in bird hit. “Both bird hits occurred while the flights were landing and hence the aircraft did not face much damage,” Airport Director V.V. Rao told The Hindu .
Besides, the officials said burning of garbage on the southern side of the airport was also a matter of concern. The smoke emanating from the burning garbage also attracted birds, Mr. Rao said.
Madurai Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao, who is the chairman of the committee, instructed the officials from Madurai Corporation and the Assistant Director (Panchayat) to take the issue seriously and ensure that garbage was not dumped in the vicinity of the airport.
The officials appealed to the Collector to relay the airport approach road.
City Health Officer Satish Raghavan, City Engineer A. Mathuram, Air Traffic Control Officers Kirubakaran and Anbalagan, and Additional Superintendent of Police K.G. Narasimhavarman were among those present.
