Mumbai: Meat shops have to ensure waste disposal to prevent bird hits

Meat shop owners will no longer have to worry about suspension of their licence because of bird hits near the airport, but the onus is on them to dispose of their waste properly to prevent such incidents.

Also Read: As deadline looms, meat shops in Mumbai at risk of being grounded by bird hits

A meat shop behind domestic airport Jari Mari road, Kurla. File pic

mid-day had reported last month that around 1,000 meat shops and cold storages in a 10-km radius of the airport were at risk after the BMC said it would only renew their licences if they got No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA was flooded with applications for NOCs but wrote to the BMC stating that it does not have the necessary infrastructure to issue such documents. Therefore, the BMC has now changed licence conditions to include ‘proper disposal of waste'.

Sanjay Kurhade, assistant commissioner (markets) of the BMC said, "We will now revise our licence conditions. It will be every meat shop owner's responsibility to maintain cleanliness near their shop and make sure the organic waste is only put in special trucks.

Read Story: FDA to crack down on meat sellers ignoring hygiene from Jan 16

It should not be dumped in the open where it will attract birds. During our drives, if we find that norms are not being followed, we will take action against them."

Mutton shop owners are relieved with this development. Aqeel Shaikh, owner of a mutton shop in Mulund West said, "Now there is no tension. Otherwise we were worried our licence will be in trouble."

The whole issue began while the Bombay High Court was hearing a PIL about the rising frequency of bird hits - a major flight risk - in the city. To prevent this, the HC ordered the BMC in February to ensure that no garbage is dumped near the airport, particularly meat, as it is preferred by birds.

"The DGCA wrote to us stating they have no resources to issue NOCs to meat shop owners. We have now written to them to build such resources since it is based on a court order. That might prove useful in the future," informed Kurhade.