Bhubaneswar, Jan. 22: The state government along with the airport officials here have formulated a six-month action plan to check the number of bird-hit cases.

The action plan includes checking the number of birds entering the path of the plane, filling of ponds adjoining the boundary wall of the airport, revamping the drainage system connecting the airfield, banning bursting of firecrackers and laser beams in and around the airfield area, removal of fish and meat shops around the airport boundary among other measures, sources said.

Biju Patnaik International Airport director Ramaswami Mahalingam said a meeting was held on Friday to take stock of the bird hazard and animal management in and around the airport in the state capital.

"We held our last meeting in May last year following which a lot of improvement has been witnessed. We have solved the issue of drainage, which was a major problem. The stagnant water because of the drainage problem used to attract birds," he said.

Mahalingam said the drainage work had already been completed and water is smoothly flowing under it.

"As a result, the number of birds in the airport periphery has fallen drastically," the airport director added.

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said the risk of bird-hit has been brought down over the past few years. The chief secretary also said he had asked the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha Forest Development Corporation, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, police and the airport authorities to keep up the risk management efforts to make the airport environment safe.

In another development, the airport authorities have also decided to develop a commercial complex and a hotel on the premises of the airport with the aim to earn revenue as well as provide better amenities to passengers, according to sources.