PR discussions: Re: [prpoint] Air tragedy at Mangalore Airport

In the context of the Bajpe airport controversies, I would like to bring to the notice of all some developments relating to Navi Mumbai airport and SEZ projects:

1. Based on official briefings (and of course information leaks) I myself had reported for Sunday Mid-Day some 20 years ago that "Navi Mumbai airport project takes off". The airport project, in fact, is yet to land, thanks to the opposition from the local people who would have been rendered landless and more importantly the environment concerns raised. This airport was planned as an alternative site to the existing congested Mumbai airport.

2. Local people also vehemently opposed the SEZ project on various grounds and the referendum conducted by the Collector showed an overwhelming opposition to the project. The result: The SEZ project is yet to take shape and in fact the corporate communications cell set up by the industrial giant for the project has already been wound up!! (obviously there is nothing to communicate)

I am sure urban planners will learn lessons from these two instances and respect the majority opinion and concerns for environment and of course for the very projects that are being planned with lop-sided vision!

Those who planned the airport and SEZ projects are no where to be seen now. If any, it is the local real estate industry that tried to make short-term rich gains. Losers are those who kept buying property at astronomical prices.

Regards

bnk

On 25 May 2010 18:13, S. Narendra <sunarendra@gmail.com> wrote:

Transparency Through Public Hearings
Hello:
Many economic development/infrastructure [projects are decided upon purely political considerations,not economic ones.Thats because we as a people and out legislatures have not set proper procedures.In Uk when a new Victoria subway line was considered,there was a elaborate social cost benefit analysis was considered.When Luton airport was considered,there were public hearings.
New bangalore airport was located in most fertile soil and source of water supply to Bangalore under political considerations.
One way to bring transparency into such decisions is to make public hearings mandatory and there should be a referendum on controversial projects such as Posco project,nandigram etc.
While the Pilot will get blamed in Mangalore incident,the politicians/builder lobby that exerted presssure on govt and the then Govt leaders will remain anonymous to resurface torprofit at people's cost..
S.Narendra

On 22 May 2010 18:16, Shivshankar Surkund <snsurkund@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi there,

I amy some thing more than, what Mr.srinivasan has indicated about the 'very short runaway' at Manglore. Durng early 50s, when a decision was taken to have an air-port at Mangalore, the search planes were scounting suitable sites, nearer to Mangalore.

Though the most suitable site selected near Udupi (a vast flat land, 2 km. from the sea , near Malpe, suitable for runaway, the political pressure was used to select Bajpe, knowing very well that the 'table top' runaway did not have say scope for further expansion. There were may mishaps during last 25/30 years and bigger planes were quite difficult to lland at Mangalore. That is why, the Mumbai/Manglore flights beganwith old war horse known as Dakots, as they could land any where, even without a proper air[-strip.

After few years, efforts were madeto extend the length of runaway, by giving supprt from below, which washe out during the first heavy rains. There was cases where planes stuck at fag end of air-strip and passengers were saved with great difficulty. The excuse given then for not selecting the site at Udupi was it was very near o sea shore and enemy planes can destroy   the air-portfrom sea route.

The same is the case of 'all wather port' site selection. In spite of the fact that at Malpe there is a very ntural rock formation, where steamers could be safe from any storm, inspite heavy expenditure being incurred for 'dredging' Mangalore was selected for 'all weather port' - again under pressure from 'local politicians'.

Then to satisfy the heart burns of Udupi people, at Malpe 'an 'Fishing harbour, was promised. Now how far it is functional, I am not aware, as I am now settled down inMumbai since 1951.

I still recall the day when the 'site locating plane' flying very low over Udupi and many were afraid they may drop a bomb ?

It was next day in thepaper the news appeared about the 'site selection' things were clear.

s.n.surkund

From: P B Raghavendra Rao <pbraghavendrarao@yahoo.com>
To: prpoint@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, May 22, 2010 8:42:56 PM
Subject: Re: [prpoint] Air tragedy at Mangalore Airport - Table top runway

Dear Sri Srinivasan

I was shell shocked to hear the plane tragedy at Mangalore airport but after reading your narration of 1992 situation of the Mangalore airport I think nothing constructive has been done to remodel the airport by the government. Hence it is Government's negligence that the airport continues a circus feat for the landing of planes without any changes of its risky infrastructure of 'table top runway'.

P.B.Raghavendra Rao

From: Triambak Sharma <cartoonwatch@ gmail.com>
To: prpoint@yahoogroups .com
Sent: Sat, 22 May, 2010 7:01:55 PM
Subject: Re: [prpoint] Air tragedy at Mangalore Airport - Table top runway

Dear Sir,

Air tragedy at Manglore Airport has raised eye brows of all the Indians. You are not safe even after landing is the most tragic case in the history of Aeroplane accidents. The incident mentioned by you is of 1992 and even after 18 years the problem is same.

Really it is very painful, we can only pray for the families of victims of this tragic accident.

Regards

Triambak Sharma

On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 1:40 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:

dear friends

When the Nation woke up today morning, all the TVs were flashing the saddest news of Air tragedy at Mangalore Airport. Around 160 passengers have been killed. Mangalore runway is a 'table top runway'. The runway is situated on the hill and at the end of the runway, there is a deep valley. There are two runways. the old one is 1.6 KM and the second one is 2.6 KM. It is an unique airport in our country. the tragic flight landed in the old runway.

When I heard the sad news in the morning, I recollected an incident, where I was part of the discussions.

In 1992, when Shri R Venkataraman was the President of India, he agreed to visit the Head Office of Corporation Bank Head Office. I was coordinating with Rashtrapathi Bhavan as the Corpcom Manager and Liaison Officer of the Bank. I was part of the discussions with various departments for this Presidential visit.

President of India uses exclusive flight for his tour always. There was a discussion about this Mangalore Airport and the risk involved. At that time, President of India was very keen to visit Mangalore and stay there for two days and meet all the people.   To ensure safety of landing of the plane, the authorities rehearse d two times before the visit of the President, using the same flight and experienced pilots. Because of this rehearsal, there were some dislocations for other passenger flights. I remember at that time, some of the Karnataka papers even criticised the rehearsal of flights, without knowing the real intention.

More than 18 years passed. Still the Mangalore Airport remains the same. Now, it appears, they have built a new runway, which is yet to be used. It needs a lot of skills for the pilot to land at Mangalore Airport. Fortunately, nothing has happened so far to any flights.

Let us pray for the families of victims of this tragic accident.

Srinivasan

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