NAGPUR: After planning to appoint an expert animal trapping firm to keep away stray and wild animals from the operational area, the Mihan India Limited (MIL) now has fixed plans to isolate the 3200-meter main runway from the rest of the area by putting up a 1.5 meter high exclusive 'solar fence'. MIL officials believe that after so many failed efforts, this is the only solution that can prevent any animal intrusion on the runway at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International airport.
MIL chief operating officer (COO), Abadesh Prasad informed that despite initiating efforts like installation of zon guns, using fire crackers and even appointing team of experts to guard the runway, animal intrusion on runway has continued. As the final step to provide an animal-free runway,MIL chairman and managing director UPS Madan recently approved a 25 lakh proposal to install solar fencing on both sides of the runway. The solar company which has been awarded the contract will be responsible for maintenance and repairing of the fencing for the next five years.
Prasad informed that solar fencing can check unwelcome intruder the moment it touches the fence. It also gives a sharp, short but safe shock which is enough to create fear among stray animals like pigs, dogs and even monkeys that have created havoc at the city airport in last few years.
An alarm will also get activated and alert the guards posted at the protected area and help them counter the animal. With the solar fence at place, the burden on expert animal trapper's team will be reduced and will have to concentrate only on Alpha, Bravo and Air Force taxiways trapping and relocating animals from airport area, Prasad explained.
TOI has reported several times that animals like deer, monkeys, dogs and pigs frequent the airport operational area. Records too show that pilots have had to delay take-offs or abort landings almost 35 times in last five years (since 2007) after seeing animals on the runway. In 20 such cases, major disasters were averted when animals actually hit the aircraft.
Taking cognisance of TOI reports the then civil aviation minister Vyalar Ravi, directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and even National Commission for Human Rights (NHRC), in letters written to MIL officials, have asked to initiate concrete steps and install solar fencing around the runway, Prasad added.
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