Flight hazards, bird-hit menace discussed at airport meet
Times of India | 9 February 2026
Kolkata: Concerns ranging from illegal structures and hazardous objects around Kolkata airport to inadequate garbage disposal attracting birds along the perimeter — factors that heighten risks during aircraft take-off and landing — came up for discussion at a meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by the airport director, senior state govt officials, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Murli Dhar, and representatives of PWD, urban development department, BMC, and other civic bodies.
Officials flagged obstacles, like tall trees and encroachments in the airport's funnel zone. Municipal bodies pointed to delays in obtaining clearances from the forest department for pruning or removing trees identified as aviation hazards. BMC requested AAI to provide precise GPS coordinates of such trees to expedite the process. It was decided AAI would share coordinates of tall trees near the airport perimeter across six civic jurisdictions.
AAI officials also spoke of lapses in garbage management, which attracts birds and increases the bird-strike risks.
"We sought cop help whenever permission was granted for demolition of illegal portions of unauthorised buildings," an airport official said.