DGCA Investigates Bird Strike Risk at Navi Mumbai Airport Over Illegal Slaughter
Navi Mumbai, 13th March 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into complaints regarding illegal open-air slaughter and meat sales in Ulwe, near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The activities, located just 3 km from the runway, violate aviation safety norms that prohibit animal slaughter within a 10 km radius of any airport to mitigate bird strike risks.
Environmental activists, including B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation, have raised concerns that the unregulated meat trade attracts birds like crows and eagles, increasing the risk of bird strikes. Kumar’s complaint, submitted through the Prime Minister’s Office, has been forwarded to the DGCA’s Director of Air Safety for review.
Local residents and activists have also highlighted health and hygiene risks associated with the open sale of meat, particularly in the context of bird flu and GBS virus threats. Despite these concerns, no concrete action has been taken yet, prompting calls for a transparent complaint mechanism under the Aerodrome Environment Management Committee (AEMC).
