Patna: In a major step to ensure safer flight operations and minimise bird strike incidents, the district administration has initiated action to shift a garbage dumping station located near Patna Airport. The garbage transfer station at Gardanibagh will be relocated this month to a newly constructed facility in Yarpur.
The Patna Municipal Corporation is developing the modern garbage transfer station in Yarpur over an area of 3,200 square metres at an estimated cost of ₹11 crore. Officials said the primary objective of the move is to make the Gardanibagh area completely garbage-free, as its proximity to the airport had been attracting birds and posing a potential threat to aircraft operations.
The decision was reviewed on Wednesday during a meeting of the Airport Environment Management Committee held at Patna Airport. Divisional Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar chaired the meeting and emphasised that poor waste management often attracts birds, increasing the risk of bird strikes and potential aviation accidents.
The commissioner directed authorities to maintain strict environmental cleanliness within a 15-kilometre radius of the airport. He also stressed the need for strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
As part of the safety measures, officials have been instructed to launch a special drive to remove stray dogs from the airport premises and areas surrounding the runway.
During the meeting, the Executive Officer of Phulwari Sharif Municipal Council informed that meat and fish shops located near the airport have already been removed. The commissioner directed that the restriction be made permanent and that authorities ensure such establishments are not allowed to reopen in the area.
The relocation of the Gardanibagh garbage station is also expected to provide relief to nearby healthcare facilities. The dumping site is located close to a hospital, and the presence of garbage had been causing inconvenience for patients and healthcare workers.
Officials from the Nutan Rajdhani zone informed that the new Yarpur facility will be equipped with modern waste management systems. Authorities believe the shift will not only enhance aviation safety but also improve cleanliness and sanitation standards in the Gardanibagh area.
