Bengaluru Airport sees strong growth in passenger traffic, no passengers at Bidar Airport
Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport continued to witness strong passenger growth, with 1.02 crore passengers from April to June of this financial year, meaning overall passenger traffic has increased by 7.2 percent over the same period of the last fiscal year, according to the Air Traffic Report of the Airports Authority of India. Growth has largely come from international passengers, which grew by 20.3% this quarter.
The passenger figure across India was 99.54 million for the first quarter of this fiscal, which is a 7.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023-24.
While the Kempegowda International Airport recorded 95, 78,000 passengers in the first quarter, April-June saw an increase with 1, 02, 71,423 passengers, which includes 13,43,412 international passengers and 89,28,011 domestic flyers. Up till June the passenger traffic grew by 9.1% with 33, 21,878 travelers as compared to 30, 45,866 last year and domestic flyers witnessed a growth of 5.5%.
Belagavi airport, too, is on the rise with 93,087 passengers this quarter, 45.9 per cent more than the corresponding period last year. Mangaluru airport recorded 5,53,883 passengers against 4,62,590, a growth of 19.7 per cent.
Few airports like Mysuru recorded a decline in passanger count by 45.3% with with 23,475 flyers against 42,936 last year, Hubbali airport witnessed decrease of 25.5 per cent with 71,418 passengers against 95,809 last year and HAL airport dropped 28.4% to 3,653 passengers from 5,102. While Kalaburagi Airport recorded a 27.6% decline in the number of passenger, which is 10,713 from 14,802, the Bidar aiport saw no passenger this quarter, as against 5,396 the same period last year, with Star Air withdrawing its Bidar-Bengaluru operations.
The state's newest Shivamogga airport which was inaugurated in August 2023, recorded an increase in flyers with 21,326 passengers in its first quarter which went up to 6,227 passengers in June, which is a sign of gaining traction in the number of flyers.
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44 peacocks die of H5N1 in Karnataka’s Tumakuru; minister orders precautions
Bengaluru (PTI): After 44 peacocks died of the H5N1 virus in Tumakuru district, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Saturday directed officials to implement strict precautionary measures to prevent its spread across forest areas, including zoos and bird sanctuaries.
The directive comes after laboratory reports from the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal recently confirmed H5N1 avian influenza as the cause of the deaths.
According to the state forest minister, the peacocks died between April 16 and 21 in and around Bommanahalli and Kolihalli villages in Urdigere hobli, and Bairasandra and Hullenahalli villages in Gulur hobli of Tumakuru district.
“In this context, instructions have been issued in line with the revised H5N1 Action Plan of the Central Government to prevent the spread of infection across all forest areas, including zoos, bird sanctuaries, Magadi Lake, and the community reserve at Kokkare Bellur,” Khandre said in a note addressed to the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden.
He also directed that any deaths of birds, whether migratory or local, must be reported immediately, and that samples from carcasses should be collected and sent for testing.
If required, a nodal officer may be appointed to monitor the situation across the state, he added.
Authorities have established an infected zone within a 0–3 km radius and a surveillance zone extending from 3 to 10 km.
According to the Health Department, surveillance for fever, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) will be carried out over the next 10 days, covering a population of 20,432 across 38 villages.
In light of the situation, the department has advised the public to follow precautionary measures to minimise the risk of infection by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and maintaining hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water.
It has also suggested the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling birds or their droppings, and advised ensuring that poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked (above 80 degrees celcius) before consumption.
The health department has also recommended avoiding close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness.
The department said it is closely monitoring the situation and has put necessary precautionary measures in place.
The public has been advised to remain vigilant and report any unusual bird deaths or symptoms promptly, officials added.
Avian influenza (H5N1) is a subtype of the influenza virus that infects birds and mammals, including humans in rare instances, according to the World Health Organisation. Human cases reported so far have been mostly linked to close contact with infected birds or other animals, or with contaminated environments.
