Regulars at dhabas on Bellary Road will have to either switch loyalty or be deprived of their food in the second week of February so that the fighter jets can zoom overhead at the Aero India 2011 without a catastrophic bird hit.
Roadside dhabas that don't have the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) trade licence have been asked to close shop between February 9 and 13 when the aero show will be on at the Air Force Station at Yelahanka. BBMP officials are issuing notices to meat stalls, small eateries and fish ponds in the vicinity asking them not to dump waste in the open.
The eighth International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence and Civil Aviation is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence.
Scavenger birds
“The organisers have urged us to take steps to ensure that waste is not dumped indiscriminately, as it will attract scavenger birds, increasing the chances of bird hit,” B.S. Prasad, Superintendent Engineer, BBMP (Yelahanka Zone), told The Hindu .
The organisers have asked the civic authority to clean up around the Air Force Station at least a fortnight before the show starts.
Some dhabas also come under the jurisdiction of Devanahalli Taluk Panchayat.
The Air Force officials have urged the panchayat authorities to take necessary precautions.
Landfill inspection
Steps will be taken to manage waste at the Mavallipura landfill, which is around five km from the Air Force Station. Gigantic nets will cover the dump to prevent birds feeding on the garbage. Air Force officials, accompanied by BBMP officials inspected the landfill, which is managed by Ramky Infrastructure, on Wednesday.
The landfill attracts many scavenger birds such as kites, crows and vultures, which pose a threat to the safety of aircraft. Defence authorities have consistently raised concerns about this.
