Pune: Murlidhar Mohol Reviews Flight Safety Amid Animal Intrusions & Traffic Congestion at Airport, Orders Urgent Action
Pune News, July 17, 2025: Murlidhar Mohol, Pune Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, chaired a crucial review meeting at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner’s Office to address multiple concerns regarding Pune International Airport. The meeting was attended by top officials from the PMC, Airport Authority, Indian Air Force, Traffic Police, Forest Department, and representatives from various social organizations.
Key Issues Discussed
Wildlife Intrusion (Monitor Lizards & Birds):
- Recent sightings of monitor lizards on the airport runway raised safety concerns. Authorities have installed cage traps and identified entry points to prevent further intrusion.
- Bird activity has increased due to uncovered garbage dumps. Eleven garbage-prone zones were identified, and immediate cleanliness drives were ordered to eliminate food sources attracting birds.
Traffic Congestion:
- Traffic police were directed to implement a strict action plan to ease congestion around the airport premises.
Aviation Safety:
- Mohol emphasized that passenger safety remains the top priority, and all measures must be taken to ensure smooth flight operations without disruptions.
Officials Present
The meeting saw the participation of:
- PMC Commissioner Shri Naval Kishor Ram
- Airport Director Shri Santosh Dhoke
- Traffic Police Deputy Commissioner Shri Himmat Jadhav
- Indian Air Force officers
- Forest Department officials
- Representatives from social organizations
Immediate Actions Ordered
- Installation of barriers to prevent wildlife entry.
- Intensive cleanliness drives to eliminate garbage dumps.
- Enhanced traffic management strategies.
- Strict monitoring to ensure no food waste attracts birds or animals.
Mohol directed all officials to implement these measures urgently, ensuring minimal disruption to airport operations while prioritizing safety.
