Corp's spl squad to monitor waste dumping near airport

T'puram: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the city corporation has formed three four-member squads dedicated to curb illegal waste dumping in the vicinity of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce bird strikes near the airport, a recurring safety hazard linked to the accumulation of food and poultry waste in nearby open areas.

The squad, which will operate 24/7, will be equipped with two vehicles — one designated for patrolling the area and the other for immediate waste removal. Health and enforcement officers will jointly oversee the operations. In the event of any violations, the squad will hand over the offenders to the local police for registering an FIR.

Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S told TOI that bird strike incidents already saw a decline due to improved waste management. "With the formation of these special squads, we are aiming to bring the number of bird strikes down to zero," he said.

According to the corporation officials, the primary reason for congregation of birds near the airport is dumping of biodegradable and poultry waste, which attracts scavenging birds. Bird activity near the runway poses a critical threat to aircraft during takeoff and landing. The new squad's mandate includes stringent surveillance of key hotspots, awareness creation among locals and strict legal action against repeat offenders.

The squad will operate in three shifts every day — 6am to 2pm, 2pm to 8pm and 8pm to 6am, ensuring continuous monitoring. A rotating schedule of staff members, drawn from various departments, including sanitation, health and enforcement, has been created to support the squads' operations. Contact details of the responsible personnel for each shift have also been shared with departments concerned to ensure coordination and accountability.

To further support this initiative, the corporation has partnered with local ward-level committees and residents' associations. A WhatsApp number will be released for citizens to report incidents of waste dumping or public nuisance near the airport. Quick-response teams will verify complaints and initiate action.

This initiative is part of a larger project under the ‘Airport Clean Zone' concept, which includes identification and cleanup of illegal dump sites, deployment of camera surveillance in vulnerable zones and improved coordination between municipal and airport authorities.