Flabbergasting exports - Rats!!

MUMBAI, India - Nov. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- With the rupee falling to perilously low levels one might expect a surge in exports to come as good news but this may not be true always! Especially given the choice of goods!

The incident reported below can best be described as being weird:

India’s latest export to Doha: Rats from Mumbai

By Aditya Anand, Mumbai Mirror | Aug 30, 2013, 01.44 AM IST

At least 4 airlines - Jet, Continental, Emirates and Qatar – have reported rat sightings at the international airport

Red-faced MIAL scrambles to exterminate the rats breeding in its aerobridges.

Mumbai International Airport Ltd was put to severe embarrassment when a rat on its premises ferreted its way on to an overseas flight and arrived at Doha International Airport last week. The crew of the flight was wishing people as they deplaned after the three hour, 25 minute flight when they came face to face with the unauthorised lowlife from India.

At least four airlines - Jet, Continental, Emirates and Qatar - have reported rat sightings along bay numbers 48 to 55 at Mumbai international airport, where there is a sudden rat menace. Officials have narrowed down the problem spots to the aerobridges where the rats are believed to be nesting.

"Rodents are a cause of worry as they could damage sensitive aircraft wiring, and this would mean disaster," an American pilot who docks his aircraft at these bays, and who has brought the matter to the notice of his superiors, said. "Rats are fond of gnawing off the insulation paddings in aircraft. This could result in malfunctioning or failure of aircraft systems," he added.

The vermin are thriving despite the airport operator MIAL following stringent rodent control measures across its terminals, in keeping with a Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular on air safety. Now there is a scramble at the airport to somehow exterminate the rats. Speed is of the essence as rats breed rapidly. A single fertile pair can give rise to 200 rats in a year's time.

"It was embarrassing as it has been reported that a rat travelled across to Qatar," an airport official said, adding that the reason in this case is probably improper hygiene on the part of those who do catering for flights. The airport spokesperson was not available for comment. At this point the aggrieved airlines don't want to rat on MIAL: "We are resolving it internally," said a spokesman.

On their part, the wildlife management cell of MIAL has set over two dozen herbal glue traps on the premises.

An airport official said the organization is now very strict about garbage and food waste disposal from aircraft. "We discovered that the trash was not properly covered in polythene bags while being moved to places of disposal. Trolleys, ramps, food stores and cabin galleys are not cleaned properly."

DGCA chief Arun Mishra promised to look into the issue. "We have guidelines in place for this and they have to be met. Not implementing rodent control measures is a serious matter," he said.

Experts said though rodent presence on an aircraft is certainly dangerous, all aircraft have built-in alarm systems that set off if there is any break in the wires. "A flashing light will alert the pilots, and the plane can be diverted to the nearest airport for landing. The crew are trained to know exactly what function each wire carries out and will respond appropriately to deal with the situation," an airline official said.

The above article published in a supplement of The Times Of India forces us to yet again acknowledge these little pestiferous creatures and accept the fact that they have crept up everywhere!

Airplanes which are the preferred mode of transport of the privileged have not been spared by these lowly creatures. Not only are they a disgusting sight but a rodent infestation can cripple a flight as also result in a catastrophe. Rodents often consider aircraft wiring as a means to keep their ever growing incisors in shape. They chew on wires not even once distinguishing between the most important or the least important. All wires are equally vulnerable to their bites!

There have been numerous rodent sightings on airports all over the world. Today it is Mumbai Airport tomorrow it might be JKF. They are everywhere; on the aerobridges, in the tarmac, on the aircraft! They won’t leave you alone and they won’t let you have peace of mind!

They need to be dealt with and urgently before any of the feasting rendezvous of these animals’ turns fatal for us. It is difficult to keep the rodents from gaining entry on airports and proliferating as they can survive in any conditions. Conventionally used rodenticides pose a health threat to humans due to the high dosage of potentially toxic chemicals present in them.

New alternatives need to be devised to ensure that airports and airplanes remain rodent-free zones. Rodrepel®™ is a niche product developed and marketed by C Tech Corporation. It can best be described as a highly effective rodent aversive. Its unique features are its non-toxicity and non-hazardous nature. Moreover it is available in the form of polymer compatible solid masterbatch as well as in the form of lacquer which can be applied on various surfaces of the aircraft. Rodrepel®™ is a new age solution to beat the rodent menace in airways!