IAF expresses concerns, PMC intensifies garbage collection near Pune airport and Air Force Station

Time of India

2 days ago

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Pune: The civic body has intensified its garbage collection efforts around the city airport following concerns raised by the Air Force Station Pune, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The issue of garbage collection and disposal became a flashpoint at Pune airport after two incidents involving stray dogs on the runway disrupted civil flight operations earlier this year. Bird strikes also pose operational challenges for IAF, which operates two squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at the station. The presence of this urban wildlife is encouraged by uncollected waste, it had been pointed out.
IAF officials communicated several issues regarding this situation to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and recommended immediate and long-term measures to address the concerns through a formal letter.
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The missive indicated that the accumulation of garbage and overall unclean surroundings near Pune Air Force Station raised concerns for both civil and military flights in the area.
A senior IAF officer emphasised the need for prompt action to ensure smooth flying operations, especially considering the increasing volume of civil flights at Pune airport.
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"Generally, IAF schedules its training flights in mornings during the week, and any incidents, such as bird strikes, could disrupt the entire training schedule. Although IAF has a trained bird control team, challenges still arise at times. So, maintaining a clean environment is the paramount factor for air operations," the officer told TOI.
In response, PMC has developed a comprehensive plan, increasing garbage collection from once to thrice a day around the Air Force Station, said Sandeep Kadam, head of the PMC's solid waste management department.
"We have also assigned a team to collect garbage at night and maintain daily records of their activities. A nodal officer was designated to oversee the entire operation. Civic teams are now collecting garbage within a 4km radius of the airport," Kadam told TOI.
Civic officials claimed that they have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle this issue. "We have roped in a dedicated team of 15 workers to lift garbage daily in three shifts.
They clean and sweep the areas in a 4km radius. Private plot owners here have also been told to clean their areas to avoid a penalty," said a PMC official.
Localities like Kalwadi vasti, Lohegaon gaothan, Forest Park, and others host hundreds of houses. "Daily collection of dry and wet garbage is about two tonne. It is a massive exercise as our personnel have to collect it from different locations. We have also urged citizens not to throw trash in open areas and dispose of it at designated places only," said Dhanshree Jagdale, divisional sanitary inspector of Nagar Road ward office.
Jagdale claimed that they work in tandem with airport authorities and the Air Force Station. "Coordinated efforts are the need of the hour to address this issue completely. We have also increased vehicles for garbage collection and share details daily with IAF and the airport authority. We are working on the recommendations suggested by IAF," she said.
Meanwhile, PMC's veterinary department head Sarika Funde told TOI that they have started a sterilisation and vaccination drive for stray dogs in the area over last ten days.
"We have also asked volunteers to feed dogs 200m away from the airport. Earlier, we would send our dog-catching vehicle only on Saturday. Now, we send it on Wednesday as well. As per our observation, there are about 70 stray dogs in and around the airport," she said.
Pune: The civic body has intensified its garbage collection efforts around the city airport following concerns raised by the Air Force Station Pune, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The issue of garbage collection and disposal became a flashpoint at Pune airport after two incidents involving stray dogs on the runway disrupted civil flight operations earlier this year. Bird strikes also pose operational challenges for IAF, which operates two squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at the station. The presence of this urban wildlife is encouraged by uncollected waste, it had been pointed out.
IAF officials communicated several issues regarding this situation to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and recommended immediate and long-term measures to address the concerns through a formal letter.
The missive indicated that the accumulation of garbage and overall unclean surroundings near Pune Air Force Station raised concerns for both civil and military flights in the area.
A senior IAF officer emphasised the need for prompt action to ensure smooth flying operations, especially considering the increasing volume of civil flights at Pune airport.
"Generally, IAF schedules its training flights in mornings during the week, and any incidents, such as bird strikes, could disrupt the entire training schedule. Although IAF has a trained bird control team, challenges still arise at times. So, maintaining a clean environment is the paramount factor for air operations," the officer told TOI.
In response, PMC has developed a comprehensive plan, increasing garbage collection from once to thrice a day around the Air Force Station, said Sandeep Kadam, head of the PMC's solid waste management department.
"We have also assigned a team to collect garbage at night and maintain daily records of their activities. A nodal officer was designated to oversee the entire operation. Civic teams are now collecting garbage within a 4km radius of the airport," Kadam told TOI.
Civic officials claimed that they have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle this issue. "We have roped in a dedicated team of 15 workers to lift garbage daily in three shifts.
They clean and sweep the areas in a 4km radius. Private plot owners here have also been told to clean their areas to avoid a penalty," said a PMC official.
Localities like Kalwadi vasti, Lohegaon gaothan, Forest Park, and others host hundreds of houses. "Daily collection of dry and wet garbage is about two tonne. It is a massive exercise as our personnel have to collect it from different locations. We have also urged citizens not to throw trash in open areas and dispose of it at designated places only," said Dhanshree Jagdale, divisional sanitary inspector of Nagar Road ward office.
Jagdale claimed that they work in tandem with airport authorities and the Air Force Station. "Coordinated efforts are the need of the hour to address this issue completely. We have also increased vehicles for garbage collection and share details daily with IAF and the airport authority. We are working on the recommendations suggested by IAF," she said.
Meanwhile, PMC's veterinary department head Sarika Funde told TOI that they have started a sterilisation and vaccination drive for stray dogs in the area over last ten days. "We have also asked volunteers to feed dogs 200m away from the airport. Earlier, we would send our dog-catching vehicle only on Saturday. Now, we send it on Wednesday as well. As per our observation, there are about 70 stray dogs in and around the airport," she said.