High Incidence of Bird Strikes at IGI Airport: Delhi HC Sends Notice to Authorities

Key Takeaways

The Delhi High Court is reviewing a PIL on bird strikes.
IGI Airport recorded 705 bird strike incidents from 2018 to 2023.
Proximity to slaughterhouses is a primary cause of bird strikes.
The court has directed responses from multiple authorities.
Immediate action is sought to implement safety measures.

New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) The Delhi High Court has decided to review a public interest litigation (PIL) that brings to light the escalating occurrences of birds and wildlife colliding with aircraft at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

In issuing a notice, a bench comprised of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela called for responses from the Central Government, Airports Authority of India, and other concerned parties within a six-week timeframe.

The petition emphasizes that the incidents of birds and wildlife interacting with aircraft at IGI Airport not only endanger the lives and safety of passengers aboard the aircraft but also pose risks to residents living in surrounding areas in case of an aircraft crash.

According to the petition, from 2018 to 2023, there have been a total of 705 reported bird strikes at IGI Airport, surpassing the total bird strike incidents recorded at 29 other airports across six states.

It further noted that the “primary cause for these incidents can be attributed to the proximity of slaughterhouses, meat markets, dairy farms, and environmental pollution surrounding the IGI Airport.”

Following the submissions, the bench directed a notice to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, the Delhi Government, and other involved parties.

The PIL requests that authorities implement immediate and effective measures to mitigate Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard [BASH] and to adopt the Bird Avoidance Model [BAM] at Delhi Airport, as the lack of such measures has previously led to severe accidents.

The Aircraft Rules of 1937 and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 prohibit the slaughter or disposal of any animal by-products within a 10 km radius of the aerodrome reference point, which could attract birds or other animals.

The plea states, “While the respondents (authorities) have recognized the causes that have contributed to the increase in BASH incidents, no significant actions have been taken to address this issue.”

The petitioner, Gauri Maulekhi, was represented by senior advocate Kirtiman Singh, with support from advocates Meghna Mishra and Yashodhara Gupta of M/s Karanjawala & Co. The next hearing is scheduled for May 14.