Navi Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into a complaint by environmentalists regarding illegal open-air slaughter in Ulwe, which poses a potential bird strike risk for aircraft at the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
B N Kumar, director of the NatConnect Foundation, has raised concerns over the slaughter and sale of goat and chicken meat in Ulwe, an area that falls within the aircraft funnel zone. His complaint, submitted via the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) grievance portal, has been forwarded to A X Joseph, Director of Air Safety at DGCA, as per an update on the PMO website.
The NatConnect Foundation pointed out that the open slaughter and meat trade, occurring just 3 km from the airport runway, violate DGCA regulations, which prohibit animal slaughter within a 10 km radius of any airport. This rule is also a key provision in the Maharashtra government’s resolution establishing the Aerodrome Environment Management Committee (AEMC) for NMIA.
Kumar has urged authorities to set up a formal complaint mechanism under the AEMC. He suggested that the committee be chaired by an independent official, such as a former Supreme Court or High Court judge, to ensure impartial oversight, given the serious nature of these violations. He also emphasized the need for transparency, arguing that CIDCO, often accused of neglecting environmental concerns, should not have its Managing Director heading the AEMC.
Local residents and activists have also raised alarms over the issue. Ulwe city NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) president Santosh Kate has written to CIDCO, the Raigad district collector, and other officials, highlighting the health and hygiene risks associated with the open sale of goat and chicken meat.
“This is especially dangerous given the current threats of bird flu and the GBS virus,” Kate warned.
Additionally, activist Karan Chawla has escalated the matter to the Chief Minister, who has forwarded the complaint to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr. I S Chahal and Urban Development-2 Secretary Govind Raj for further action.
Kumar also stressed that open-air meat sales raise serious public hygiene concerns. “Buying chicken and mutton from roadside vendors without proper health and safety measures, is unsafe and unhygienic,” he noted.