Indore (Madhya Pradesh): To ensure safe landing of flights and mitigate the fear of stray animals suddenly appearing on the runway at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, the authorities have decided to trim the overgrown grass along the runway. This time this work will be done manually instead of mechanically.
Grass grows-up rapidly during rains in the 700-acre open operational area of the city airport. This poses a risk of small animals hiding, which can come on the runway. A few years ago, a jackal collided with the wheel of an aircraft. Thus, regularly grass cutting is necessary to prevent such accidents.
For this job the airport administration has invited manpower supplier companies who will provide about 20 workers daily. The estimated cost of this work is Rs 93.32 lakh.
Previously, the airport relied on advanced grass-cutting machinery that could quickly clear large areas and even collect and bundle the grass efficiently. The trimmed grass was then sent to the zoo to be used as fodder for herbivorous animals. However, due to operational reasons, manual trimming has been chosen this time around.
