Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport is set to conduct a comprehensive aircraft emergency mock drill on June 30, as part of renewed safety preparedness following a deadly aviation accident in Ahmedabad that claimed over 250 lives. The upcoming drill, mandated by the Airports Authority of India, aims to evaluate and enhance the airport’s readiness to respond to aviation emergencies, such as crash landings or on-ground disasters.
While emergency drills are a routine safety protocol across airports, this exercise gains urgency amid growing operational challenges faced by urban airports in India’s rapidly expanding cities. Stakeholders from across emergency services—including fire and rescue units, police, airport medical staff, and disaster response forces—will simulate a coordinated response to a hypothetical aviation incident. The exercise is expected to stress-test the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), a critical document outlining protocols, responsibilities, and communication strategies during such crises.
Airport authorities recently conducted a thorough review of operational readiness under the safety committee, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on real-time coordination across departments. In a city where growth has led to denser construction and environmental strain, aviation safety is increasingly intersecting with urban sustainability concerns. Despite continued compliance with standard aviation norms, Bhubaneswar airport faces mounting challenges stemming from its urban placement. According to officials, bird activity around the airport remains a persistent risk to flight operations. The presence of fish markets, food stalls, and even bird nesting sites within proximity—particularly within a 10-kilometre radius where aviation activity is regulated—has increased the likelihood of bird strikes, a known cause of in-air incidents.
Authorities have flagged that unauthorised constructions, tall trees, and improperly located water tanks surrounding the airport are emerging as significant obstacles to safe flight operations. These structures often breach aviation safety guidelines and could interfere with aircraft during takeoff and landing sequences. Sources within the airport administration indicate that formal complaints and requests for intervention will be sent to municipal and urban development bodies. This includes appeals to clear or regulate encroaching structures and manage bird attractants like open garbage and animal waste—both explicitly prohibited under aviation safety guidelines.
In the larger context, this scenario reflects a tension visible in many Tier-II Indian cities: balancing rapid urbanisation with the growing demands of infrastructure safety and ecological sustainability. With Bhubaneswar vying for recognition as a smart and sustainable city, the intersection of airport operations with public health, land use, and environmental management cannot be ignored. The upcoming drill is expected to also serve as a wake-up call for better coordination between civic authorities and airport management in enforcing land-use regulations. Experts argue that emergency preparedness goes beyond simulation—it also involves long-term policy enforcement and urban design compatible with aviation safety.
In the face of increasing air traffic and aspirations to develop Bhubaneswar as a key eastern gateway for international and domestic flights, robust safety frameworks are not just regulatory necessities but strategic imperatives. As the city braces for the June 30 exercise, the spotlight is not only on emergency responsiveness but also on the urgent need to create cleaner, safer, and more compliant airport environments that align with the broader vision of equitable and sustainable urban futures.
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