Agartala MBB Airport faces safety challenges from towering buildings and bird flying fueled by nearby meat shop waste, and laser pointers aimed by pranksters across the Bangladesh border.
Agartala (Tripura), June 21: Imagine boarding a flight, ready for takeoff, only to learn that the plane might face risks from birds drawn to nearby meat shops or the agony of pilots of an incoming flight facing laser pointer aimed by pranksters across the border.
That’s the reality authorities at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) International Airport in Agartala are working hard to address, as concerns mount over safety hazards threatening smooth operations.
Close on the heels of recent fatal Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) held a meeting in the Agartala MBB Airport to review airfield environment measures and reinforce strategies for safe and sustainable airport operations.
Local officials have raised alarms about multi-storey buildings near the airport that tower beyond permitted height limits, posing a danger to aircraft.
Adding to the worries, areas close to the runway have become magnets for birds, largely due to waste from meat shops, increasing the chances of mid-air collisions known as bird strikes. Notices are set to be issued soon to those violating safety rules, a senior official confirmed.
These pressing issues took center stage at a recent AEMC meeting and the discussion zeroed in on a few major concerns, with one goal of keeping the skies safer for everyone.
Topping the list of concerns was the urgent need to create a 10-kilometer bird-free zone around the airport.
🛫 Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) Meeting
An AEMC meeting was held at AAI MBB Airport,Agartala to review airfield environment measures and reinforce strategies for safe and sustainable airport operations. All stakeholders participated actively. #AAI#MBBairport pic.twitter.com/qLr2Ek1tLX
— MBB Airport, Agartala (@aaiagtairport) June 19, 2025
This step has become necessary to reduce birds flying incidents around the airport and eradicate the chance of plane-bird collision. The officials also came up with arguments relating to what may attract birds near the airport .
“Some neighborhoods near the runway are dotted with meat shops, and their waste is like a buffet for birds,” an official explained.
“This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a serious risk for planes taking off or landing.”
Plans are underway to crack down on these practices and clean up the area to deter feathered visitors.
But it’s not just birds causing headaches. The same official shared that buildings exceeding height restrictions are another red flag.
“These structures break the rules and put flights at risk. We’re preparing to notify the owners to take action,” they said, stressing the need for stricter enforcement.
The airport’s unique location adds another layer of complexity. Sitting just 30 to 70 meters from the Bangladesh border on two sides, MBB faces an unusual cause of concern: miscreants from across the border have been aiming laser pointers at incoming flights.
“It doesn’t mess with the plane’s systems, so potentially not a threat but it’s a distraction for pilots, especially when they’re trying to land,” the official noted.
Authorities are looking for cross-border cooperation to tackle this problem.
The AEMC is doubling down on safety measures. From boosting sanitation to removing bird-attracting waste near the runway, officials are leaving no stone unturned to protect passengers and crew ensuring safe take-offs and landings.
I Read more in enewstime: Tripura Govt Grants Jobs to 18 Kin of pre-2018 Political Violence Victims: Minister l
Besides, Table Top Exercise was conducted on June 20 at AAI MBB Airport, Agartala as part of preparations for the upcoming Full Scale Emergency Exercise. Stakeholders reviewed coordination,response strategies, and communication protocols to ensure readiness and safety.
