Jose K Joseph
1)Birds in airport’s operational area pose threat to flights while takeoff and landing. BPIA registers 19 bird-hits in 2011, 18 in 2012 and 10 times each in 2013 and 2014
2)DGCA has listed Biju Patnaik International Airport in the surveillance list of airports in the country which are prone to bird-hit incidents and wildlife intrusion
3)Open drain originating at Bharatput carrying effluents passes through Baramunda, adjacent to OUAT and flows beside the Airport. This drain attracts a large number of local birds
Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to construct temporary drains to tackle water logging issues at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA).
The Water Resources Department (WRD) which has been assigned to undertake this task has permanent solution to the issue but made no significant progress in this regard so far.
Director general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has listed BPIA in the surveillance list of airports which are prone to bird-hit incidents and wildlife intrusion. But, the city airport has made significant progress in bring the situation under control.
However the clogged drains in the airport is creating issues and attracting birds to the airport. Though airport officials have approached the civic authorities several times to sort out the issues nothing has been done so far.
Many AAI officials informed Orissa POST they hoped the Chief Secretary-level meeting held recently will suggest measures to make significant progress in tackling the situation. Unfortunately, the situation still remains the same.
When contacted, chief enginer of drainage wing informed Orissa POST they need to construct a tunnel between the old airport and newly acquired area to find a permanent solution to this issue.
“We have the necessary survey and land acquisition. However, we need to build a tunnel connecting the old airport drain and newly acquired land. But in order to take this up we need the permission of Airports Authority of India (AAI). We have also submitted a request for that,” said B Bastia, chief engineer, drainage, WRD.
When contacted, joint general manager of engineering (civil), AAI informed Orissa POST he has not received any request from WRD.
“We have not received any request or proposals from WRD. We will take appropriate decision if we receive the proposal,” said Loknath Padhy, joint general manager of AAI engineering (civil).
Interestingly, the Chief Secretary has instructed WRD to immediate solve the issue temporarily but the department has only a permanent solution to the problem which requires construction of a tunnel.
“We don’t have a temporary solution and once the tunnel connecting the old airport and newly acquired land is completed the airport will not face any water stagnation,” added Bastia.
Experts in the field have said unless the issue is resolved, the airport will soon be marooned with stagnated water and BPIA will not be able to contain its bird menace. PNN
