Srinagar: Authorities in Kashmir on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of all unlicensed brick kilns within an 8-kilometer radius of Srinagar airport to improve air quality and ensure better visibility for aircraft, officials said.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee, chaired by Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg, who also serves as the panel’s chairman, an official spokesperson said. The meeting highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to maintain aerospace safety around the airport.
During the session, Garg issued several directives to enhance airfield safety, focusing on visibility, bird hazards, dog-related issues, and proper disposal of carcasses in the airport vicinity. To reduce air pollution and improve visibility, he instructed the immediate shutdown of all unlicensed brick kilns within the 8-km perimeter. Additionally, he called for the adoption of the zigzag firing technique in operational kilns to minimize emissions.
Addressing bird hazards, particularly the threat posed by black kites attracted to open waste dumps, Garg directed officials to implement scientific methods for solid waste collection and disposal, especially in villages identified by airfield authorities. He also stressed proper disposal of waste from slaughterhouses and butcher shops.
To tackle the dog menace around the airport, Garg asked the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to prioritize dog sterilization drives and urged public awareness campaigns to promote the proper disposal of carcasses.
He further encouraged officials to leverage resources under centrally-sponsored schemes and coordinate across departments to effectively address these challenges.
Earlier, the committee’s secretary presented a detailed PowerPoint outlining the key safety concerns affecting the airfield environment, the spokesperson added.
