A recent incident involving a large flock of birds at Lohegaon Airport, Pune, has once again raised serious concerns about aviation safety. On June 5, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Pune was forced to divert to Surat just minutes before landing after an unusual swarm of birds was spotted on the runway. This is the second such incident in recent weeks. On May 20, passengers aboard a Hyderabad-bound flight were stranded inside the aircraft for over six hours, as airport authorities conducted bird control and protection operations on the runway.
Aviation safety experts have attributed the increasing bird activity to unauthorized constructions, roadside eateries, and poor waste management practices near the airport premises. The rapid urban expansion around Lohegaon Airport, which operates under the control of the Indian Air Force, has led to the growth of commercial colonies that inadvertently attract birds, increasing the risk of bird strikes.
Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the development of the proposed international airport at Purandar to ease the burden on Lohegaon. Meanwhile, former airport director Deepak Shastri criticized local authorities for their failure to crack down on illegal constructions around the airport zone.
Commenting on the issue, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram pointed out that the core problem lies in poor waste disposal systems rather than just new buildings. Overflowing garbage bins and open food waste attract large numbers of birds, particularly kites and pigeons, increasing the risk of collisions with aircraft.
In response, the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has recommended a series of measures to mitigate bird hazards:
Installation of bird-proof structures on nearby buildings
Covering open sewage drains and eliminating stagnant water sources
Prohibiting bird feeding within a two-kilometer radius of the airport
While both the Air Force and the Airport Authority claim that preventive steps are being taken, experts argue that inter-agency coordination is lacking. They are calling for regular review meetings, enforcement of zoning regulations, and a comprehensive action plan to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft. As Pune continues to expand, ensuring a safe flying environment at Lohegaon remains a critical challenge for both civil and defense authorities.