In the wake of the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar has directed the BMC to implement urgent precautionary measures to tackle the bird menace near the Mumbai airport. As part of this, the civic body will install a protective shed at the Versova Refuse Transfer Station (RTS), located around 8 km from the airport - a known risk zone for bird activity. The civic authorities have been instructed to initiate the tendering process for the project within 15 days to help mitigate the risk of bird strikes on aircraft.
A high-level meeting on the bird menace issue was held on Wednesday afternoon in Mantralaya. It was attended by senior BMC officials, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Adani (the airport operator), Disaster Management Cell, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the State Environment Department. During the meeting, the rising bird activity near the Versova RTS was identified as a major public safety risk due to the potential for bird strikes and associated environmental and sanitation concerns. This comes in light of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which mandate that open dumping be located at least 20 km from airports and air bases. This RTS is spread across 8,000 square metres, handles approximately 400–450 metric tonnes of solid waste daily.
Waste is usually piled up in the open before being taken away by trucks and dumpers. This attracts birds which fly at low heights and can be dangerous for planes flying nearby. Considering the risk, Shelar directed the civic body to cover the RTS and implement strong environmental measures to eliminate the bird menace.
Mumbai: BMC To Appoint Consultants For 5 Years To Oversee Civic Road Works & Surveys In CityA senior civic official present at the meeting said, "Start-ups, research institutions, and citizens will be invited to contribute innovative solutions. A dedicated multi-departmental committee will be formed to coordinate and monitor the action plan. All relevant departments have been asked to explore both immediate and long-term sustainable measures that ensure environmental compliance and public safety."
Meanwhile, the BMC has proposed an upgrade of the Versova RTS to tackle the bird menace, following regular meetings with airport authorities. As part of the plan, the entire site will be covered with nets and roofs to deter birds from gathering. The civic body will soon float a tender for the upgradation work.
