Air Marshal takes up bird-strike threat to Rafale with Chief Secretary

Ambala, September 1

Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, Director General (Inspection and safety), has raised the issue of the safety of Rafale jets from bird strikes in Ambala, with Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora.

In a letter, the Air Marshal stated: “The Ambala Air Force Station has a high concentration of birds and this has the potential to cause serious damage to aircraft in case of collision. Bird activity over the airfield is related to the presence of garbage in the surrounding area. The Air Officer Commanding, Ambala Air Force Station, has met the Joint Commissioner and Additional Municipal Commissioner through the Aerodrome Environment Management Committee meetings conducted thrice this year.”

“To reduce the activity of large birds around Ambala airfield, the IAF has sought the immediate implementation of solid waste management,” the letter read.

The Ambala MC has started serving notices on people involved in pigeon breeding in the area. — TNS