COIMBATORE: An awareness rally to educate people on effective garbage management in and around the Coimbatore International Airport was held on Sunday. Coimbatore MP A P Nagarajan flagged off the rally, which was organised as part of the Swachch Bharat Mission.
“The area around the airport has a mixed demography occupied by residences, shops, industries, hospitals, educational institutions and hotels. Effective garbage handling including source collection and proper disposal is required to prevent attracting birds in the vicinity of the Airport. Coimbatore Airport had 21 bird hit incidents in 2014 causing aircraft damage, flight disruptions and inconvenience to passengers. People living around the area can directly contribute to aviation safety by keeping the surroundings clean. This will help in safe airport operations,” said a release.
Airport Director D Paul Manikkam told Express that more than 600 volunteers participated. Besides, about 10,000 pamphlets with messages stressing the importance of cleanliness were distributed through newspapers and also handed out by the participants during the rally. Garbage clearing activity was also conducted in some areas, he added.
Koundampalayam MLA V Arukutty, District Collector Archana Patnaik, Corporation Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan, DIGP of CRPF Ajay Bharatan, DC of CISF Ashish Kumar were among those present during the inauguration of the rally.
Volunteers from Airport Authority of India, CISF, Police, CRPF, corporation/panchayat councillors, members of resident associations and NGOs took part.