Runway safety project delayed by govt deadlock over land acquisition at MIA
Mangaluru: The construction of the 'runway basic strip area' at Mangaluru International Airport(MIA) has not gained traction due to the administrative impasse between the Karnataka govt and the Union govt.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
They are passing the buck on who will fund the land acquisition for the project.
Fifteen years after the devastating Air India Express crash that killed 158 people, a crucial plan remains largely unimplemented. This essential buffer zone, a key recommendation following the 2010 disaster, requires 33 acres of additional land, which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) sought since 2015-16. An administrative deadlock persists between the AAI and the Karnataka govt, with the state arguing that the private airport operator should fund the land acquisition.
While improvements like runway resurfacing and partial runway end safety areas (RESA) were completed, the full safety strip is the need of the hour at the runway. This ongoing impasse leaves thousands of passengers vulnerable every day to the same risks that led to the 2010 tragedy. The construction of the safety basic strip was a key recommendation in the report of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the investigation of the crash.
Dakshina Kannada additional DC Santhosh Kumar G, quoting a letter to the state govt in Feb 2024, as per land value in 2018, it was decided to give Rs 35 lakh per acre; however, in 2023-24, the value went up. Besides, 28 landowners have also sought a one-time rehabilitation package estimated at around Rs 7.8 crore. "In total, both land acquisition and the rehabilitation package would cost the govt exchequer a total of Rs 45 to Rs 50 crore," the letter stated.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
A few months ago, MP Capt Brijesh Chowta raised the issue of land acquisition in Parliament, seeking intervention of Union minister for civil aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to enable a dialogue between all concerned authorities to clear the bottlenecks. "After talks, AAI has given a green signal that will help take the process forward. Besides, I have held talks with officials from the infrastructure development ports and inland water transport department to expedite the process.
If they start the land acquisition process, the Centre will extend full support," said Chowta.
Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, additional secretary to government, infrastructure development ports and inland water transport department, declined to comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Questioned by mininster, Gurgaon civic body stands by its use of sweeping machines
Gurgaon: The corporation has found nothing wrong with the operations and maintenance of mechanical road sweeping machines (MRSMs) in the city. These MRSMs have proven to be economical, productive and environmentally suitable options for road sweeping in the city, an MCG probe panel has said. According to the report submitted by the MCG panel — which TOI has accessed — these machines (16 are in use in the city) traverse 480km each day, offering improved accountability, decreasing dependency on manual workers, while adhering to pollution control standards. It was in April that the department of urban local bodies (ULB) extended the contract of the operating firm of the road sweeping machines by one year. The extension coincided with the period when concerns about these machines' effectiveness emerged. Out of 44 machines, used across various state corporations, 16 machines are being operated in the city and five in Manesar. The use of these machines is "more cost-effective" than manual sweeping by sanitation workers, the panel has said. According to the MCG's cost analysis, a single sweeping machine can cover 30km of road each night. The monthly cost for manual sweeping of the same 30km stretch is Rs 15.8 lakh. This figure is based on the need for 90 sanitation workers, with three workers allocated per kilometre as per Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) norms and three supervisors required for the 90 workers, each earning Rs 16,900 and Rs 20,000 respectively. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In contrast, the monthly operational and maintenance cost of one sweeping machine, as per the report, is Rs 4.7 lakh, with an additional Rs 1.87 lakh as fuel expenses each month, totalling Rs 6.57 lakh for each machine. The MCG concluded that the use of sweeping machines, costing Rs 6.57 lakh per month, is more economical than the Rs 15.8 lakh required for manual sweeping of the same distance. "The use of MRSMs has proven to be a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally compliant solution for road cleaning in Gurgaon. However, there are certain other technology vehicles, such as self-propelled mechanical road sweepers, that can also be considered in comparison to vehicle-mounted mechanical road sweeping machines. In the present scenario, after minor operational changes, these MRSM systems can be made more effective," the report says. Meanwhile, ward 11 councillor Kuldeep Yadav said the absence of a councillor or mayor in the MCG's committee examining sweeping machines' effectiveness and cost analysis raises questions. "Our inclusion would have contributed valuable insights from field observations. Councillors possess comprehensive knowledge and maintain thorough supervision of actual operations of the sweeping machines," Yadav said. The MCG panel was constituted in May. On May 9, Badshapur MLA and Haryana industries and commerce, forest and environment minister Rao Narbir Singh said he would conduct an investigation into the functioning of sweeping machines and super sucker machines run by MCG and MCM. The MCG panel had been constituted to evaluate how well the mechanical sweeping systems function, their operational effectiveness, difficulties faced and cost considerations, alongside a comparative analysis with conventional manual sweeping . The minister had questioned whether the machines' use justified their cost. The sweeping machines were purchased by ULB in 2019. Subsequently, the operations and maintenance of 44 such machines across various state corporations were outsourced to a private company for five years, although the machines remain the property of ULB. TOI reported on April 22 that the sweeping machines managed by a private contractor for MCG, which should operate throughout the night on city roads, were underperforming. "We have assigned duties to 16 clerks to monitor each of these sweeping machines throughout their working hours. It will ensure their efficient working," MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM should write to Prez against guv: Venugopal
Kottayam: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that the governor is degrading the constitutional position he holds. He demanded that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan should write to the President about it. Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha on Saturday that the post of the governor is the highest constitutional post in a state. "He has decided to forfeit its value. It is not a post that should be used for selfish political interests. The President should intervene in such matters. The CM should write a letter to the President at the earliest, pointing out that the governor is misusing his post," he said. Venugopal also asked why the CM is not ready for it. He said that the finance minister's announcement that welfare pension will be provided from the 20th of this month was only to influence the voters of Nilambur and misuse the election. This is a blatant violation of the election code of conduct. The Election Commission should take this seriously. The UDF will consider filing a complaint, he said. He said that during the Nilambur byelection, he strongly criticised the way welfare pension is being distributed in arrears. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Welfare pension is the right of the common man. They are entitled to receive it without arrears. This is the govt that came to power saying that welfare pension would be increased to Rs 2,500. Now, even as their term is about to end, it is only Rs 1,600," he added. Venugopal said UDF is confident that it will win the Nilambur byelection. "It is because of this certainty that the LDF has not paid the pension. There has never been another election where there was so much unity in the UDF. The Muslim League was more enthusiastic than the Congress. Sadikkali Thangal and P K Kunhalikutty worked as if it were their own election. The IUML cadres worked with more enthusiasm than they would have worked for an IUML candidate. All the leaders and cadres of the Congress worked together in unison," Venugopal said. The AICC general secretary also said Shashi Tharoor is an indivisible factor of the Congress. "Congress is a party that ensures freedom of expression. Congress has its own ideas and goals. Everyone has instructions to go along with it. The party has the right to take action if that 'Lakshman Rekha' is violated anywhere. Congress is not a party that violates anyone's freedom of expression and freedom of movement," Venugopal said in response to a question.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gateway cargo at Vizhinjam port likely only by Dec 2025
Thiruvananthapuram: Gateway cargo operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport are now likely to begin only by Dec 2025 or January 2026, with temporary road access to NH-66 still under construction. According to Divya S Iyer, managing director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), preparations are underway for a phased rollout of export-import (exim) cargo operations to coincide with the port's first full year of commercial activity. "We're planning to initiate exim cargo traffic around Dec this year," Iyer said. "The rollout will be gradual to match infrastructure readiness. Cargo movement will increase steadily rather than launch at full scale. " Since its commercial launch in July 2024, Vizhinjam port has operated primarily as a transshipment hub. The addition of exim cargo handling will mark a significant expansion, boosting both regional and international trade. The temporary 1.7-kilometre road linking the port to NH-66 is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by the time gateway services commence, easing container truck movement and reducing congestion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, sources indicate the state govt is in no rush to begin gateway operations, despite ports minister VN Vasavan's earlier assurance that services would start by July 2025. "Progress on the temporary road is slowed by the monsoon. A retaining wall still needs to be built at a 150-metre stretch between a bridge and NH-66, and service roads on both sides must be widened," a source said. The port users' building, which will house customs officers, has been completed and a scanner has been installed near the gateway to inspect cargo trucks. One major pending decision involves the proposed cloverleaf interchange at the NH-66 junction. Though NHAI has given in-principle approval, final clearance is awaited due to a delay in the state govt's review. Port secretary A Kowsigan is currently on deputation training and a final decision is expected after a joint meeting between the ports department and PWD. Estimated at Rs 360 crore, the cloverleaf design requires 30 acres of land and could be jointly funded by the state govt and Adani Group, with the Centre potentially covering 50% of the cost. Until then, the temporary road will act as a stopgap, supporting the gradual ramp-up of cargo operations.
