Controlling bird menace has always been a challenge for organisers of the air show. With the 9th edition of the Bangalore aero show gearing up to take off on February 6, the urban deputy commissioner, GC Prakash, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a successful show. In the process, he has done away with 300 ponds around the venue that reared cat fish, as they were identified to attract birds of prey.
According to the BBMP Yelahanka zone joint commissioner, YM Ramachandra Murthy, the cat fish are fed with poultry and farm waste, which attracts birds. Hence, the ponds have been levelled and the water has been let out into Bagalur lake. Murthy also said that the dhabas and hotels serving non-vegetarian food on the national highway and other roads close by, will be closed in the coming days to prevent the birds menace.
In addition, civic agencies along with the urban deputy commissioner’s (DC) office have formed a disaster management team to monitor the development of the road connectivity to the air show, reserve beds in nearby hospitals to shift the victims in case of an emergency and to provide other facilities. “We are still formulating the plans which has to be initiated for the show. There will a be lot of changes and additional responsibilities included in the plan from the previous year,” said disaster management cell nodal officer, Pradeep.
Meanwhile, the chief engineer of national highway authority of India, Mathur and BBMP chief engineer (SWM), HC Anantswamy had conducted a joint operation and decided to cover up the garbage dumped at the Mavallipura landfill. “As dumping of fresh garbage has been stopped, the existing garbage will be covered with soil to prevent birds. The BBMP will also take up action against the stray dog menace”, Murthy said.
