Plane aborts takeoff after bird-hit

This was second incident of bird-hit at Amausi airport this year. The last such incident had taken place in May.

“Safety measures are being taken to avoid such incidents. We check the runway after every two or three flights and crackers are fired before every takeoff to keep the birds away. But,during rains,insects come on the runway and they attract the birds,” said Airport Director Atul Dixit.

The Airport administration,meanwhile,has issued notices to six telecommunication companies,which have erected towers near the airport. In the notice,the administration has sought details about the distance of the towers from the airport’s boundary wall and their heights.

“If the distance and height are not under permissible limits,the companies would be asked to reduce the height of the towers or shift them. If they refuse to do so,we will bring down the towers with the help of the district administration,” said Dixit. Two firms have reduced the height of their towers erected towards the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan,he added.

Telecom companies also require No Objection Certificates from the airport administration before putting up towers near the airport,but none of these companies had followed the norm,said Dixit.