TEAM HERALD
VASCO: At a time when the Dabolim airport has been kept on alert due to a possible terrorist strike, airport authorities are faced with terror of a different kind as stray dogs have begun invading the runway and taxiway.
In an incident on October 20, a Mumbai-Goa flight is reported to have been held up at the runway after stray dogs were found moving on the runway and taxiway. The airport director has decided to order a probe into the matter.
“The incident took place shortly after our flight landed in the afternoon. Since I was at the window seat, I could clearly see some ground personnel and vehicles shooing away the stray dogs from the runway,” said a passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We had to remain in the plane till the dogs were cleared from the site and the flight was delayed due to this incident. We were given to understand that other flights may have also been delayed because of this incident,” the passenger told Herald.
When this was brought to the notice of Airport Director K Srinivasa Rao, he said he was unaware of the incident as he was out of station on October 20.
“I will order an inquiry into the incident. The runway is under the jurisdiction of the navy and we are just using their runway. If some stray dogs had ventured on the runway, I will bring this to the notice of the navy officials and request them to plug all openings, if any, anywhere within the airport area,” said Rao.
“I will also direct my officials to conduct an enquiry into the incident and will compile a detailed report in the matter,” added Rao.
