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The tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday has renewed focus on aviation safety across the country. The incident, which claimed over 270 lives, has pushed airport authorities to tighten precautionary measures, and Bhubaneswar is no exception, with steps already underway to ensure safe landings and takeoffs at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.
According to a report by The Times of India, bird strikes and flight path obstructions continue to challenge safe operations at Bhubaneswar airport even in 2025.
Bird Hits a Persistent Threat at BPIA
The TOI report stated that though the airport has seen a slight reduction in cases this year, currently recording around three to four bird hits a month, it has topped the chart for bird hit incidents among eastern India’s airports several times.
Airport officials said to the outlet that bird activity is concentrated around the approach areas of the runway, where trees and water bodies provide roosting and feeding grounds.
Further, the presence of nearby roadside fish and meat shops attracts birds, including scavengers that feed on leftover animal waste. Despite eviction drives and restrictions since 2012, vendors often return, continuing to attract bird activity.
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Obstructions Delay Crucial Runway Upgrades
Apart from bird-related risks, physical obstructions around the runway are also a major safety concern. Three tall coconut trees on the Nilakantheswar Temple premises in Jagamara and several unauthorised structures have been flagged by airport authorities for interfering with the approach path of aircraft.
During landing and takeoff, birds fluttering from these trees have reportedly flown dangerously close to critical parts of aircraft, such as the nose, windshield, fuselage, and engines, posing serious crash risks.
As per the TOI report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), after a recent inspection, refused approval for operationalising the Category-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) on the runway until these obstructions are cleared.
In a joint survey carried out by BPIA along with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), the general administration department, police, and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) found several structures, including electricity poles and shops, infringing upon the approach light and obstacle-free zone (OFZ) of runway-14.
In response, BPIA officials have reportedly reiterated their request to civic authorities to cut the coconut trees and demolish unauthorised structures that fall within the critical flight path.
Ongoing Bird Control and Infrastructure Upgrades
Reports added that to actively manage the bird menace, BPIA has deployed a 21-member bird-chasing squad that operates round-the-clock along the runway. Additional deterrents include the use of firecrackers, six zone-guns strategically placed around the runway, and thunder booms, all aimed at scaring away birds.
Many trees in the Jagamara, Pokhariput, and Gandamunda areas have been cut or pruned to reduce nesting opportunities. Despite these efforts, persistent environmental factors continue to support bird habitation around the airport.
