Bird strike menace at Bhubaneswar airport due to ‘lax enforcement’; DGCA writes to Odisha CS

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised concerns over frequent bird strike incidents at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) and has written to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, urging strict enforcement of aviation safety norms.

According to The Times of India, the regulator has invoked Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, which prohibits slaughterhouses and similar bird-attracting activities within 10 km of an aerodrome.

DGCA Flags Safety Violations

The DGCA stated that unauthorised slaughterhouses, roadside meat and fish vending units, and open waste dumps near Bhubaneswar airport continue to attract birds, posing risks to aircraft.

The letter called for immediate mapping and identification of such establishments, followed by their closure or relocation to ensure compliance.

The aviation regulator has also directed that the restriction zone must be measured in terms of aerial distance, covering the full 10 km radius around the airport reference point.

Reports added that the transport department subsequently issued instructions to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner and district collectors in Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput, and Sundargarh to enforce the norms raised by the DGCA.

Notably, despite repeated advisories, BPIA continues to record three to four confirmed bird hits every month. In 2024, the airport reported about six such incidents monthly, the highest among eastern India airports.

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Expansion Plans Amid Safety Concerns

The warnings from the DGCA come at a time when the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the construction of a third terminal at BPIA to accommodate rising passenger traffic. The proposed terminal will showcase Odisha’s art, culture, and heritage while boosting airport capacity.

With safety enforcement and expansion moving in parallel, aviation authorities have stressed that addressing bird strike hazards will remain critical for secure and efficient flight operations in Bhubaneswar.