Pune: Murlidhar Mohol Directs PMC To Address Garbage Issue To Prevent Wildlife Intrusion; Ease Traffic Near Pune Airport

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting at Pune Municipal Corporation to address pressing safety and operational concerns at Pune International Airport.

In recent days, authorities reported leopard sightings on the runway, an increase in bird activity, and growing traffic congestion around the terminal.

The Minister directed Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Airport Director Santosh Doke, Indian Air Force and Airport Authority officials, Traffic Deputy Commissioner Himmat Jadhav, and members of the forest department to take immediate corrective action.

To prevent further wildlife incursions, cages and nets are being installed near identified entry and hiding zones used by leopards. Eleven garbage hotspots around the airport have been earmarked for clearing to discourage birds, and strict orders have been issued to eliminate any food sources that might attract wildlife.

Recently, weeks after a leopard was spotted near Pune Airport, a new animal-related scare disrupted air travel, this time, due to a stray dog on the runway.

Recent leopard and dog scare at airport

As per the report by ToI, major scare was reported at Pune Airport in June, when a stray dog entered the runway just as Air India Express flight IX 1097 from Bhubaneswar was preparing to land. The aircraft had descended to an altitude of around 100–150 feet when the pilot spotted the dog on the runway, reported TV9 Marathi.

Animals on or near airport runways can pose serious risks to aircraft during takeoff and landing, potentially causing accidents or damage. However, in this case, quick and decisive action by the pilot helped avoid a collision and ensured the safety of passengers and crew.

At Pune Airport, the civil enclave allows commercial airlines like Air India or IndiGo to operate flights, but the runway belongs to and is controlled by the Lohegaon Air Force Station.

The incident had sparked concern among passengers and raised questions about airport security, especially following recent reports of a leopard sighting near the airport premises. Pune airport has been dealing with unusual bird activity and stray dogs for some time. On June 21, an Air India flight was involved in a bird strike incident.

Leopard Sighting Confirmed at #Pune Airport! 🐾 After a reported sighting late on April 29th, camera trap footage has now confirmed the presence of a leopard early this morning, May 6th. Authorities have set up cages to capture the animal.#Leopard #Wildlife #Airport #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/wVFhwO5X3G

— नेत्वा धुरी NETWA DHURI (@netwadhuri) May 6, 2025

पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळाच्या विविध विषयांसंदर्भात आढावा बैठक…

📍आयुक्त कार्यालय, पुणे महापालिका

पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळाच्या विविध विषयांसंदर्भात आज पुणे महापालिकेत एक महत्त्वाची बैठक घेत अधिकाऱ्यांना विविध निर्देश दिले. गेल्या काही दिवसांपासून विमानतळाच्या धावपट्टीवर… pic.twitter.com/l9MgAk8qFG

— Murlidhar Mohol (@mohol_murlidhar) July 16, 2025

VIDEO: Pune Airport Garden Turned Into Garbage Dump

The Traffic Police have been tasked with implementing targeted measures to ease congestion in the airport precincts, with plans already in motion. “Ensuring safe and uninterrupted aircraft movement remains our highest priority,” Minister Mohol emphasized, urging that all departments act swiftly.

Alongside the officials, representatives from local social organizations were invited to support the cleanup and monitoring efforts. The collaborative initiative aims to reinforce airport safety protocols and maintain smooth operations at Pune International Airport.