In a significant move to ensure aviation safety, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has carried out a major tree-cutting and pruning operation around the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). The action, taken on Tuesday, targets obstructions identified along the flight path that pose a risk to aircraft during landing and takeoff.
Targeted Action at Key Locations
BMC officials confirmed that the work was focused on three specific stretches identified as critical. The locations include areas near Baramunda village close to the Nilakantha Temple, the Watco office, and in front of plot numbers 1680 and 1684 within ward number 50. A dedicated squad from the civic body executed the plan, cutting down trees deemed hazardous and trimming others to meet the airport's safety specifications.
"The trees identified as obstacles were cut and some trimmed as per the airport’s requirement for the safety of the aircraft," stated Kajal Pradhan, BMC Deputy Commissioner. This is not the first such action; earlier, the BMC had removed coconut trees that were flagged as obstructions on the flight's approach path.
Persistent Safety Concerns and DGCA Impact
The airport authority had been raising the issue with the BMC for several months, highlighting a persistent threat. Officials pointed out that unauthorized structures and coconut trees belonging to the Nilakantheswar Temple could endanger flights, especially on the approach towards the Jagamara-Khandagiri end of the runway.
The seriousness of these obstructions had far-reaching consequences. BPIA officials revealed that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had put on hold the approval for implementing the advanced Instrument Landing System (ILS) Cat-2 on the runway. This decision was directly linked to the unresolved obstacle issue, delaying crucial navigation upgrades for the airport.
"There is a dedicated committee to take decisions on safety plans. Based on their feedback, steps are taken. On Tuesday, BMC’s squad carried out the tree pruning, accomplishing the much-needed task for aircraft safety," explained BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan. He added that while the tree issue is being addressed, an unauthorized market building still remains, pending a decision on its demolition by the BMC.
Why This Action Was Critical
The urgency for this clearance stems from a direct and tangible danger to aircraft. Airport officials explained that during landing and takeoff, birds nesting in these tall trees often flutter and fly at heights where they can collide with critical parts of an aircraft. Potential impact zones include the aircraft nose, fuselage, windshield, and engines, with such bird strikes posing a severe risk that could potentially lead to a crash.
The formal request for this enforcement action was made by BPIA to the BMC on June 14, urging immediate steps to cut the problematic coconut trees. While the airport had made some alternative technical arrangements to manage ILS Cat-2 operations temporarily, the physical removal of obstacles was paramount.
"Even before the trees were cut, we made some alternative technical arrangements for the workability of the Cat-2 facility. But it is good that now the trees have been trimmed and cut," Director Prasanna Pradhan concluded, marking a positive step towards enhanced operational safety at the Bhubaneswar airport.
