COIMBATORE: The city airport authorities claim that the indiscriminate dumping of waste along the periphery of the airport has been a long-standing problem that has been endangering the safety of air passengers. They say that the garbage dumped by several poultry and meat stalls near the airport is a major attraction for scavenger birds like kites.
"It is the corporation's responsibility to ensure proper waste disposal to keep birds away from the airport. The issue of open garbage dumping near the airport is taken up every year at the annual meeting convened by the district collector and airport officials," said D Paul Manickam, director, Coimbatore International Airport.
The airport environment management committee headed by the district collector convenes the meeting every year. One issue that has been raised in the last two years is the cleaning up of the open canal that flows near the airport. The airport officials have been submitting photographs of the clogged canals.
Garbage is dumped in the open in residential areas and vacant plots, including SIHS colony.
"We have not received any specific complaints regarding the issue of open garbage dumping near the airport recently. We have been taking measures to improve garbage collection in the city. I will look into the issue," said G Latha, commissioner, Coimbatore Municipal Corporation.
Scavenging birds, mainly kites, are the main species responsible for bird hits at the Coimbatore International Airport though there have been incidents in the past involving peacocks and lapwings.