Pune: A PMC official of deputy commissioner rank would be appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate with the Indian Air Force on key civic issues, particularly garbage management around the Air Force Station and the airport, Union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said.“Unusual bird activities increase in monsoon. Poor garbage management around the airport has also been a matter of concern as unattended waste attracts birds and stray dogs. If a senior PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) official interacts regularly with the IAF (Indian Air Force) counterparts, issues will be communicated directly and addressed without delay,” Mohol told TOI.The move follows concerns over the poor waste management around the airport, attracting stray dogs and birds, and thereby increasing the risk for aircraft operations. An Air India Express flight to Jaipur with over 150 passengers on board aborted take-off at the last moment on July 3 after the air traffic control alerted the pilots about a dog on the runway. Similar incidents involving stray animals and increased bird activities were reported around the airport over the past one year, particularly during monsoon.Bavdhan resident Aashish Bakhle, who was on the July 3 flight, said he spotted a stray dog near the airport’s arrival area while returning from Jaipur on July 6. “The airport authorities and the PMC need to act proactively. Sudden appearance of dogs or other animals on the runway can lead to a catastrophic accident,” he said.PMC veterinary department head Sarika Funde confirmed that Mohol had directed the civic body to step up coordination between the IAF and the solid waste management department. “After the stray dog incidents near the airport last year, we captured 11 dogs from the area. They have been housed in our Mundhwa shelter. The recent Supreme Court ruling states that sensitive facilities such as airports, schools and hospitals should remain free of stray dogs. The court authorised the authorities to capture dogs from such areas and shelter them, without releasing them. We have asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to fence the stormwater drains opening towards the airside,” Funde said.She said the PMC would intensify surveillance around the airport, and inspect compound walls and other vulnerable access points in coordination with the airport authorities and the IAF. “Our teams currently visit the airport area every Saturday. We now plan to increase the inspections and strengthen the monitoring. The AAI, too, needs to take additional measures,” she said.Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said the airport was coordinating with the PMC.PMC’s deputy commissioner and solid waste management head Santosh Valure said a dedicated 12-member team had been deployed exclusively for the airport area. “The team will ensure that no garbage remains unattended. They will also identify illegal dumping spots in nearby localities. We are planning to increase the dedicated workforce by another 25-30 personnel to enable faster waste collection and continuous monitoring,” Valure told TOI.
