Delhi HC issues notice on PIL seeking closure of illegal slaughterhouses near IGI Airport to prevent bird strikes

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking measures to reduce the risk of bird strikes at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and to shut down illegal slaughterhouses operating nearby.

PIL Filed to Implement Bird Avoidance Model at IGI Airport

The PIL was filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi, who urged the authorities to adopt immediate and effective measures to mitigate the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) at IGI Airport. The petition calls for the implementation of a Bird Avoidance Model through strict enforcement of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, highlighting that the absence of such a model has led to serious accidents in the past.

The petition underscores that bird and wildlife encounters with aircraft at IGI Airport not only endanger passengers but also pose a significant risk to residents in neighboring areas in case of a crash. “During the period of 2018-2023, the total number of bird strikes at the IGI Airport, standing at 705 incidents, outnumbered combined bird strikes incidents reported across 29 airports in 6 different States,” the plea states.

The Court, while seeking a response from the concerned authorities, instructed that the replies should not only address the petition’s claims but also provide details on the steps already taken to address these concerns. “Issue notice. Having regard to the concerns raised in this PIL, let notices be issued to the respondents. Let replies be filed by all the respondents not only on para wise reply to the petition but also details of the steps taken in respect of the concerns raised in the writ petition,” the Court stated. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 14.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has directed responses from the Union of India (through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation), Airports Authority of India, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Delhi Government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and Delhi Police.

Action Against Illegal Meat Shops and Slaughterhouses

The petition also seeks specific directions for the FSSAI and the Delhi Government to conduct inspections, collect samples, and initiate prosecution against illegal meat shop operators. It requests penalties for those running unlicensed meat shops or carrying out slaughtering activities without a valid license.

Additionally, the plea asks the Delhi Police to register FIRs and initiate investigations against individuals and entities involved in operating illegal meat shops, slaughterhouses, and other prohibited establishments within a 10-kilometer radius of IGI Airport.

The petition attributes these incidents to the presence of illegal slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairy farms, and environmental pollution around IGI Airport.

Coordination to Reduce Bird Strike Risk

The PIL also calls for coordinated action through the Airfield Environment Management Committee to address the threat of bird strikes. This includes conducting joint inspections to identify and eliminate illegal meat shop clusters within the 10-kilometer zone around the Delhi Aerodrome Reference Point.

Case Title: GAURI MAULEKHI v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.