Outside airport wall, a reason for bird-hits

Mumbai: Of around 536 bird-hits reported between January 2004 and December 2006 at various airports in the country, close to 86 occurred in Mumbai, according to Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL).
A 30-minute stroll from the Vile Parle police station towards the Airport Colony explains why: a stone’s throw away from the boundary wall along the domestic side of the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport, the road reeks of filth dumped by slumdwellers and carcasses disposed of by butchers and a garbage bin next to a public toilet attract crows, dogs and other scavengers.
According to the Aircraft Act, 1934, and the International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) Regulation, slaughtering of animals and disposing of filth within a radius of 10 km of the Aerodrome Reference Point is strictly prohibited.
There are nearly 300 butcher shops in the vicinity of the airport, the most popular ones being at Bail Bazaar, Jari Mari Road, Wadia Estate, Safed Pul and Kranti Nagar. In Bail Bazaar itself, there are 50 licenced shops, according to a civic official. Besides, there is the Deonar slaughterhouse and flourishing leather business in Dharavi.
“Every time a flight is grounded due to a bird-hit, the basic revenue loss incurred is as high as Rs 15 lakh, and we are talking only about the basics. If there’s a major engine fault then the additional cost of repairs can run over Rs 10 lakh. Not to forget the inconvenience caused to public,” said Captain J S Dhillon, vice-president (operations), Spice Jet Airlines.
According to Dhillon, the only way to minimise bird-hits was the implementation of already existing rules by the civic and the airport authorities.
21/10/07 Nitya Kaushik/Mumbai Newsline

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Oct 2007, Safety Oct 2007