to leave. Their friends from outside are joining them in droves too. Entering the terminal from openings in the ceiling, birds can be found flapping their wings, taking up seats and hopping from one place to another as passengers dodge them.
“Entry of pigeons has been an issue and passengers have flagged it too. We had closed six skylight openings during the past week by nets to prevent birds from entering the terminal. We are monitoring the results, but initial observations are encouraging. Now, we have to evict the ones inside,” said Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) chief executive officer (CEO) Rakesh Sahay.
If bird droppings and stench emanating from them are leaving many irritated, canines are keeping people on the edge. Dogs have been roaming freely in the vicinity of the airport and at the entrance, sniffing luggage, barking, running around and doing all those things that are scaring passengers, mostly kids and elderly.
Ranipreet Kaur, a resident of Mohali and a frequent flier, said, “One can easily imagine the impression the international airport gives to visitors, especially foreign guests, when stray dogs welcome you at the entrance. It’s not only an eyesore but a threat to visitors too.” Raja Gupta, another visitor who had come to the airport to receive his friend, said, “What if a dog bites a passenger?”
The airport authorities said they have informed the deputy commissioner to direct the MC commissioner to order a drive to catch stray dogs at the airport.
