After the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, the spotlight has once again turned to aviation safety across the country. In this context, questions are being raised about how safe Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport is for flight operations, especially following a bird-hit incident on June 2 involving an IndiGo aircraft.
The airport, located in a densely populated area, continues to face serious challenges in maintaining safe airspace. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has repeatedly flagged this issue with the state government.
In 2023, the AAI wrote to the Chief Minister, Urban Development Department and Ranchi Municipal Corporation, raising concerns about 55 construction within a 20-km radius of the airport that it deemed unsafe for aircraft operations.
This is not the first time such concerns have been raised. As early as 2008, notices were issued under the Aircraft Act of 1934 to over 40 buildings, restricting construction heights to 35 feet around the airport.
Captain Shilpriya Verma, former Chief Pilot of the Jharkhand Police and a veteran in state aviation with over 15 years of service, explained to Aaj Tak that the runway’s centreline – where take-offs occur – must remain clear within a 15-degree arc on both sides. He added that within a 3-km radius of any airport, there should be no meat, fish markets, or abattoirs, as these attract birds.
In Ranchi, however, the hygienic fish market and waste dumped behind the airport boundary pose a persistent risk. Aircraft taking off at speeds over 300 km/h have experienced multiple bird-hit incidents here in the past.
During a recent ground report by Aaj Tak, camera footage showed waste littered near the airport boundary and birds flying around dangerously close to the runway – clear signs of a safety hazard.
The latest incident occurred on June 2, when an IndiGo Airbus A320, flying from Patna to Ranchi with 175 passengers, suffered a bird hit at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 feet, around 10 to 20 nautical miles from landing. The aircraft’s nose was dented, prompting an emergency landing. Fortunately, all passengers escaped unharmed.
Earlier in 2020, an Air Asia aircraft had to abort take-off following a bird strike. Just two days before the June 2 incident, another bird was spotted in flight path range as an IndiGo aircraft prepared for departure.
Captain Verma stressed that all stakeholders – including the municipal corporation and RRDA – must recognise their responsibilities. He also called for a public awareness campaign to educate residents near the airport about the dangers of open waste dumping. Strict adherence to standard operating procedures is essential to ensure safe operations at Ranchi airport.