Birds are hitting planes 3.5X more at Delhi airport. Here’s why

“DIAL informed the committee that peafowl, monkeys and dogs had been observed around IGI Airport, posing a threat to VIPs, foreign delegates, passengers and aircraft operations. The committee later directed government agencies and civic bodies concerned to catch and relocate the animals in a time-bound manner,” said an officer.

Among the key sites discussed was Rangpuri Pahadi, where stagnant sewage water and waste dumping into a water body by unauthorised colonies, particularly K-Block, Mahipalpur, were flagged. The land belongs to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), while a portion was reportedly handed over to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in December 2024 for construction of a sewage treatment plant. The work, however, has not begun yet, a source said.

The committee directed DIAL to meet senior officers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, DDA and DJB and apprise them of the ground situation using photographs and videos. “DDA was also asked to clear dumped waste and preserve the ecological integrity of the water body,” the source added.

The committee also discussed the illegal chicken market at Indra Market, RK Puram, where meat waste was allegedly being dumped into a drain behind the market. The chairman advised DIAL to hold in-person meetings with senior civic officials and explore a model under which meat waste could be collected and transported by DIAL from the locations. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was asked to increase challans and lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) under public nuisance provisions against individuals or shop owners dumping meat waste in the drain.

Construction debris at Dwarka

At Dwarka, the committee noted dumping of construction and demolition waste along railway tracks adjacent to Runways 9, 10 and 11 approach areas, particularly behind the cremation ground near the railway line. An official said the dumping was resulting in increased bird activity and formation of rodent hideouts within the aircraft approach area.

Concern over feeding pigeons 

“The committee also raised concern over pigeon feeding in Dwarka Sector 8, where installation of “no bird feeding” signage remained pending. DIAL was asked to provide DDA with cautionary slogans or advisory messages for posters warning people not to feed birds near airport localities,” the officer said. Several other locations were flagged for garbage accumulation, illegal waste segregation or poor waste management. These included Jai Hind Colony opposite Vasant Square Mall in Vasant Kunj, Dhalao No 6 in Rangpuri, Dabri Mor, Kusumpur Pahadi and Gokul Chowk in Palam Colony.