People dumping garbage near Lohegaon air base may face FIRs amid growing bird-strike risk

Pune: The Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Lohegaon is considering filing police complaints against people found dumping garbage near the airbase with a surge in bird activity posing risks to flight safety.

Senior officers at the strategically significant installation said the contemplation followed repeated complaints, and monitoring that revealed rampant dumping of waste in open plots and roadside areas around the base.

A senior IAF officer told TOI that the station planned to expand its CCTV coverage along the perimeter to identify offenders. “Once identified, we plan to file police complaints against those responsible. Garbage dumping is drawing birds closer to operational areas and impacting flight safety, leaving us with no choice but to consider strict action,” the officer said.

The officer said people often arrived on two-wheelers and dumped waste just outside the airbase boundary walls. “This is a dangerous practice. To what extend can we reprimand them?” the officer said.

Bird strikes remain a major aviation hazard worldwide. IAF officers said there had been a few recent bird-hit incidents involving aircraft operating from Lohegaon, raising serious operational concerns. “If a large bird collides with an aircraft during takeoff or landing, it can be catastrophic,” the officer said.

Earlier, Pune municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram had inspected areas around the airbase with civic officials and directed owners of vacant plots to keep them garbage-free. He had also warned of possible seizure of plots for non-compliance. “Two garbage processing plants are dysfunctional in the area. Hence, there has been some issue in garbage disposal over the last few weeks. We have initiated the work. Once it is completed, the issue will be resolved,” Ram told TOI on Wednesday.

The Lohegaon airbase, which houses two Sukhoi fighter squadrons under the South Western Air Command, also shares its runway with Pune airport, making the issue critical for both military and civilian aviation.

Civic officials stressed that apart from enforcement, public cooperation was essential. “Citizens must understand that dumping garbage near the airbase is not just a cleanliness issue but a serious safety risk,” Ram said.

Residents in the area said illegal dumping had become routine. “People dump waste late at night, and by morning it attracts dogs and birds. Authorities need to act strictly now,” resident Vishal Shinde said.

Priyanka Kale, another resident, said behavioural change was equally important. “People speak about cleanliness but continue to litter. Given the proximity of the airport and airbase, this negligence puts thousands of passengers and defence personnel at risk,” she said.