Patna: Authorities have been instructed to strengthen safety measures around Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, with a renewed focus on preventing bird strikes, improving environmental management and ensuring smoother airport operations.
The directions were issued by Patna Divisional Commissioner Mayank Warwade, who is ex- officio Chairperson of the Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC), during a committee meeting held on Tuesday at the airport.
Warwade said passenger safety remained the administration’s highest priority and stressed the need for close coordination among all departments involved in airport management.
Focus On Aviation Safety
Addressing officials, the Commissioner said airport operations should comply with the environmental management and safety standards prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
He said adherence to these standards was essential for ensuring safe air traffic while maintaining sustainable environmental practices around the airport.
Crackdown On Bird-Attracting Activities
A significant part of the meeting focused on reducing factors that attract birds near the airport, which can increase the risk of bird strikes.
Executive officers from the municipal bodies of Phulwarisharif, Danapur and the Nutan Rajdhani Zone informed the committee that notices were being issued to regulate open meat and fish shops and that wall paintings were being used to spread awareness about proper waste disposal.
The Commissioner directed municipal authorities to continue these campaigns and ensure that waste disposal and commercial activities comply with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He also instructed officials to conduct regular awareness drives for shopkeepers, organise orientation programmes on public safety and maintain continuous surveillance of meat and fish shops operating in the vicinity of the airport.
Authorities were directed to initiate legal action against violators in accordance with the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Pollution Control Act and other applicable laws.
Waste Management And Cleanliness
Warwade said the open sale of meat and fish posed not only a challenge to aviation safety but also to public health.
He stressed the importance of eliminating bird-attracting waste sources around the airport and directed civic agencies to improve sanitation and ensure proper disposal of waste within the designated airport safety zone.
Officials were also instructed to ensure that commercial establishments located within the regulated radius of the airport comply with Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and related operational guidelines.
Infrastructure And Navigation Upgrades
The Commissioner directed officials to take the necessary steps, after obtaining approvals from the competent authority, to facilitate the installation of CAT-I lighting systems, commission the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) navigation system, and complete tree trimming in accordance with the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey.
These measures, officials said, are intended to strengthen aviation safety and improve aircraft operations at the airport.
Review Of Ongoing Measures
During the meeting, the committee reviewed progress on decisions taken at previous meetings, including airport development works, traffic management and security arrangements.
The airport’s Civil Aviation Department presented a detailed review of airport operations and ongoing infrastructure projects through a presentation.
Officials also discussed traffic flow management in light of the airport’s ongoing expansion and reviewed the implementation of safety-related measures, including waste management and navigation infrastructure.
Warwade directed all concerned agencies—including the Road Construction Department, Patna Municipal Corporation, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Urban Development and Housing Department, Patna Police, Traffic Police, the Patna Zoo, and the Energy Department—to work in close coordination and complete all safety-related works within the stipulated timelines to ensure safe and efficient air traffic operations at Patna Airport.
