Chandigarh, Oct 12: Chandigarh MPs Manish Tewari and Malvinder Singh Kang on Saturday directed officials of the Mohali and Chandigarh administrations to prepare an immediate action plan to curb bird activity around Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, citing safety risks from waste and garbage dumping in the surrounding areas.
The call comes in the wake of an October 4 incident, when a Delhi-Chandigarh IndiGo flight had to abort its landing due to unusual bird activity near the airport at 9:15 am. The aircraft returned safely and successfully touched down at 11:58 am once conditions became favourable. A Chandigarh-Srinagar flight scheduled for 9:45 am was also delayed by nearly two hours on the same day for unspecified reasons.
Chairing a meeting with officials from the Chandigarh and Mohali administrations, the MPs emphasized that problem areas affecting aircraft take-off and landing must be “microscopically identified” and mapped accurately. “It is imperative that every zone attracting bird activity be precisely located so that mitigation measures are effective,” Tewari noted.
Recounting a previous incident, officials said on July 7 last year, a Chandigarh-Ahmedabad flight nearly faced a serious accident when the pilot applied brakes on the runway just before take-off, halting the aircraft safely. “Passengers experienced a frightening moment, and the incident highlights the urgency of addressing bird hazards around the airport,” Kang said.
The MPs instructed stakeholders—including the Indian Air Force, representatives of Chandigarh International Airport Limited, and municipal authorities of Chandigarh and Mohali—to submit an action-taken report within three weeks. The report should detail identified problem areas and steps undertaken to mitigate risks, ahead of the next follow-up meeting.
Tewari and Kang also stressed strict enforcement of the Indian Aircraft Act, 1937, which allows for penalties of up to ₹1 crore and imprisonment of up to three years. “Those whose activities within a 10-kilometre radius of the airport pose a safety hazard to aircraft must be held accountable immediately through show-cause notices and criminal proceedings,” they noted.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport handles around 10,000 passengers daily and operates 52 flights, including two international services to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Originally handling smaller-scale operations, the airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11, 2015.
Officials said bird strikes at the airport are particularly concerning during the monsoon when wild growth around the airfield attracts birds searching for insects, food, and vegetable waste. Methods such as bird dispersers and sound guns are employed to keep the runways clear, though much of the airport’s operational area falls within Mohali district.
Ministry of Civil Aviation data indicates that bird-strike incidents are increasing nationwide. Two cases were reported in 2018, three in 2019, two in 2020, 16 in 2021, 15 in 2022, and 23 in 2023, underscoring the growing concern for aviation safety.
