Bird-hit cases increase throughout India

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, September 26 (APD) - According to latest data obtained from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), birds or animals hit aircraft more than 4,000 times over the past five years.

At least two planes are struck every day because of the presence of birds or animals on runways, posing a serious risk to human lives and the aviation industry.

The information was acquired through the Right to Information law. While the bird-hit cases stood at 607 in 2012, they increased to 839 in 2016.

Most cases took place in New Delhi and Mumbai, which have the busiest airports in the country. There were 135 cases in 2016 in New Delhi, and 72 in Mumbai.

The officials have informed that the incidence of accidents increases during the monsoon season from the months of July to October.

“Small insects, food particles, water bodies that attract birds are found in abundance during the rainy season leading to increase in cases in monsoon. In 2% cases, wild animals such as deer, wild boar and jackal sneak into airports, occupy the runaways and collide with planes, ”said an official of the DGCA.

There were 1.15 million take-offs and landings in India in 2016-17. Residents of areas close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi informed that more birds are noticed these days feeding on garbage dumped in the open.

“The Delhi Development Authority has put up a notice board cautioning residents not to throw food waste in the open as it might attract birds and interfere with aircraft movement. But there is gross negligence by the civic authorities. They let garbage rot in the open,” said a resident living near the airport.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)