October 31 deadline set for Yarpur waste station

Patna: Chandrashekhar Singh, Patna divisional commissioner and chairperson of the Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC), expressed concern over delay in construction of Yarpur garbage transfer station during the AEMC meeting held on Monday at Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport.He directed that the station should be operational by Oct 31, noting that the Patna Municipal Corporation failed to complete it by Aug 15.The present garbage transfer station at Gardanibagh, which is only 800 metres away from the city airport, attracts birds and poses a threat of bird strikes to the aircraft. Removal of stray dogs near the airport campus was also ordered.The commissioner said open meat and fish shops should be monitored, with strict action against violators to ensure compliance with environmental and animal welfare laws. “PMC officers have been instructed to enforce proper waste disposal within a 10-km radius of the airport, as per rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Meat and fish shops in Phulwarisharif have been relocated, with the area fenced and declared a no-vending zone,” Singh said.The director of civil aviation highlighted the need for regular trimming of trees to ensure safety of flight. Of the 105 trees identified, 31 were trimmed. Singh directed officials to coordinate with the forest department for timely completion, per the Aircraft Act, 1934.The commissioner ordered officials to secure approvals for installing CAT-I lights, commissioning the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR), and trimming trees as per the optical landing system survey. He also asked the civic body officials to remove encroachments, conduct regular cleanliness drives near the airport, and strengthen the drainage system.Singh emphasised that safe air traffic is the administration’s top priority and called for enhanced civic amenities and strict adherence to safety standards at the airport.The meeting was attended by Patna DM Thiyagarajan SM, additional municipal commissioner, airport officials, and representatives from various departments.