Panaji: The Goa government and the Indian Navy are together trying to tackle the stray dog menace at Dabolim international airport that forced landing and take-off disruptions twice in the past one month.
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Goa’s only airport, which handles more than 20,000 passengers every day, functions from the Indian naval airbase of INS Hansa located in South Goa.
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“INS Hansa, along with the government of Goa, has taken proactive steps to remove stray dogs from vicinity of the runway,” said a statement issued by the Indian Navy on Monday.
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“The increase in rampant throwing of garbage outside the airport and areas around Dabolim-Bogmalo has resulted in increase in dog and bird menace at the airport which is seriously impinging the safety of passengers,” the statement added.
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On Sunday, stray dogs forced an Air Asia flight to Delhi to abort take-off after air traffic control personnel spotted stray dogs on the runway. The aircraft was allowed to take-off after technical checks prescribed as per protocol.
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In August, an Air India flight, while attempting to land at Dabolim at night, was forced to abort landing after the pilot spotted stray dogs meandering on the runway.
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The Navy also claims that it has written to local panchayats to do what they can to stop dumping of garbage in the airport’s vicinity.
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