Thiruvananthapuram: Victims of the Mangalore air tragedy should get at least 145,000 dollars in compensation apart from the amount sanctioned by the state and central governments, Kerala's Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy said Monday. At least 158 people died in the tragedy May 22 of which 49 were Malayalis.
'According to the international aviation rules the compensation is USD 1.45 lakh. We will see that no dilution takes place in this and we are working with the centre on it,' Chandy told reporters here.
He also added that the civil aviation ministry has announced Rs.10 lakh, Kerala government Rs.3 lakh and Rs.2 lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund as compensation for the families of those killed.
'So the family of a victim would get Rs.15 lakh plus USD 1.45 lakh. We are now working to see that this reaches the victim's family at the earliest. I personally visited the homes of more than 15 victims and all of them are in dire straits,' added Chandy.
Commenting on reports that a few victims were travelling on forged passports, Chandy, a former chief minister, said it will have no bearing on the compensation to be paid.
'We have found out that this compensation has no bearing on the status of the passport. It is given to those who die in an air crash,' Chandy said.
The IX 812 Dubai-Mangalore flight overshot the runway while landing at the Bajpe airport, about 20 km from Mangalore, and caught fire after plunging about 300 meters off a cliff.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Vallarpadam ICTT to be commissioned in August
Kochi : The Rs.2,118-crore International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam near here will be commissioned in August, the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) said Tuesday.
Billed as the country's first global hub terminal, the ICTT is in strategic proximity to international sea routes.
'The CPT Board that met today (Tuesday) has taken a decision that ICTT, Vallarpadam, shall be competitive with international transshipment ports in the South/Southeast Asian region, and the vessel related charges shall match the tariff at these ports,' the CPT said in a statement.
DP World, formerly Dubai Port International, has developed ICTT. The container berth will be of 1,800m and have a depth of 14.5m.
ICTT is expected to alter the development map of Kerala through huge investment in the coming years.
It is set to launch a series of ventures, including an LNG terminal (Rs.1,600-crore), a port-based special economic zone (Rs.1,510 crore), a ship repair complex (Rs.315 crore), SBM (single buoy moorings) for Kochi Refineries Ltd (Rs. 720 crore) and a petrochemical complex for Gas Authority of India (Rs.7,000 crore).
A 4.62-km rail bridge, the longest in the country, connecting ICTT with the main land at Edapally has been completed.
Billed as the country's first global hub terminal, the ICTT is in strategic proximity to international sea routes.
'The CPT Board that met today (Tuesday) has taken a decision that ICTT, Vallarpadam, shall be competitive with international transshipment ports in the South/Southeast Asian region, and the vessel related charges shall match the tariff at these ports,' the CPT said in a statement.
DP World, formerly Dubai Port International, has developed ICTT. The container berth will be of 1,800m and have a depth of 14.5m.
ICTT is expected to alter the development map of Kerala through huge investment in the coming years.
It is set to launch a series of ventures, including an LNG terminal (Rs.1,600-crore), a port-based special economic zone (Rs.1,510 crore), a ship repair complex (Rs.315 crore), SBM (single buoy moorings) for Kochi Refineries Ltd (Rs. 720 crore) and a petrochemical complex for Gas Authority of India (Rs.7,000 crore).
A 4.62-km rail bridge, the longest in the country, connecting ICTT with the main land at Edapally has been completed.
Custody death: HC orders CBI probe
The Kerala High Court today ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the custodial death of Sampath, the key accused in the Sheela Murder Case.
Justice V Ramkumar, while issuing the orders observed this was a case where the public had lost confidence in police.
It is evident there had been manipulation in the case records and the police investigation was a 'farce' as there were attempts to save higher officials.
The court observed this was a fit case for the central investigating agency to probe.
The court had directed the State Police to hand over the case records to the CBI unit here.
Sampath (26), the first accused in the Sheela murder case, died while in police custody on March 29 at Puthur in Palakkad District.
The court also observed it was unfortunate that lock-ups in the State had turned into 'death rooms'.
The Crime Branch, which was probing the custodial death, had filed chargesheets against 12 police officials.
The court further observed that sensitive cases should be investigated by police officials with proven credentials.
Any police official who was directly or indirectly connected with the incident should be brought to book, the court said.
The court gave the order while allowing a petition filed by Murukesh, the brother of Sampath.
The court also observed that investigation into the Sheela Murder Case in which Sampath was an accused should not be influenced by the observation of the judgement.
The murder of Sheela Jayakrishnan took place on March 22, 2010, in the day light at her house in the heart of Palakkad. Her mother Karthiyayani (70) was also brutally attacked
Justice V Ramkumar, while issuing the orders observed this was a case where the public had lost confidence in police.
It is evident there had been manipulation in the case records and the police investigation was a 'farce' as there were attempts to save higher officials.
The court observed this was a fit case for the central investigating agency to probe.
The court had directed the State Police to hand over the case records to the CBI unit here.
Sampath (26), the first accused in the Sheela murder case, died while in police custody on March 29 at Puthur in Palakkad District.
The court also observed it was unfortunate that lock-ups in the State had turned into 'death rooms'.
The Crime Branch, which was probing the custodial death, had filed chargesheets against 12 police officials.
The court further observed that sensitive cases should be investigated by police officials with proven credentials.
Any police official who was directly or indirectly connected with the incident should be brought to book, the court said.
The court gave the order while allowing a petition filed by Murukesh, the brother of Sampath.
The court also observed that investigation into the Sheela Murder Case in which Sampath was an accused should not be influenced by the observation of the judgement.
The murder of Sheela Jayakrishnan took place on March 22, 2010, in the day light at her house in the heart of Palakkad. Her mother Karthiyayani (70) was also brutally attacked
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Air India crash in Mangalore: Black box found
May 23, 2010,
Investigators have recovered two out of the three parts of the Black Box from the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India Express which might provide vital clues about the cause of Saturday's crash.
Search is still on for the third critical part of the Black Box. The box, which records all flight information, will help investigators recreate the last moments of the flight to find out what exactly went wrong leading to the crash.
Altogether 158 people were killed and eight others miraculously survived after an Air India plane IX 812 overshot the runway by 2000 metres, going off the edge of Mangalore's table-top airport. The plane was flying from Dubai to Mangalore with 160 passengers and six crew members on board.
The Black Box, also known as flight recorder, is vital in finding information about key details like the last moments of the flight and whether there was any error from the pilot's side.
The box will be brought to the accident lab of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi where the investigators will open it up and recreate last moments to find out what exactly went wrong.
According to sources, Boeing experts are also going to help in deciphering the Black Box.
Earlier, a forensic team had arrived from Hyderabad to help investigate the cause of the air crash. The team is conducting DNA tests on those bodies that have charred beyond recognition. More than 100 bodies have been identified so far from among the 158 victims.
Investigators have recovered two out of the three parts of the Black Box from the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India Express which might provide vital clues about the cause of Saturday's crash.
Search is still on for the third critical part of the Black Box. The box, which records all flight information, will help investigators recreate the last moments of the flight to find out what exactly went wrong leading to the crash.
Altogether 158 people were killed and eight others miraculously survived after an Air India plane IX 812 overshot the runway by 2000 metres, going off the edge of Mangalore's table-top airport. The plane was flying from Dubai to Mangalore with 160 passengers and six crew members on board.
The Black Box, also known as flight recorder, is vital in finding information about key details like the last moments of the flight and whether there was any error from the pilot's side.
The box will be brought to the accident lab of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi where the investigators will open it up and recreate last moments to find out what exactly went wrong.
According to sources, Boeing experts are also going to help in deciphering the Black Box.
Earlier, a forensic team had arrived from Hyderabad to help investigate the cause of the air crash. The team is conducting DNA tests on those bodies that have charred beyond recognition. More than 100 bodies have been identified so far from among the 158 victims.
Leaders seek higher compensation for crash victims
Mangalore: Congress leaders from Kerala today urged the Centre to enhance the amount of Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as relief to the families of those killed in the Air India Express air crash here yesterday.
Singh had yesterday announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and a compensation of Rs 50,000 each to those injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala who visited Wenlock Hospital here, where
victims' bodies have been kept, said many of those killed, especially Keralites, were bread-winners of their families,
which depend on their remittances from Gulf.
So apart from the personal and emotional loss, the families had been financially hit by the tragedy, the leaders said, adding they would take up the issue of enhancing the compensation with the Union Government.
All but eight of 166 passengers on board the Air India Express flight from Dubai were killed when the plane overshot the runway, veered off and plunged into a ravine before bursting into flames. PTI
Singh had yesterday announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and a compensation of Rs 50,000 each to those injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala who visited Wenlock Hospital here, where
victims' bodies have been kept, said many of those killed, especially Keralites, were bread-winners of their families,
which depend on their remittances from Gulf.
So apart from the personal and emotional loss, the families had been financially hit by the tragedy, the leaders said, adding they would take up the issue of enhancing the compensation with the Union Government.
All but eight of 166 passengers on board the Air India Express flight from Dubai were killed when the plane overshot the runway, veered off and plunged into a ravine before bursting into flames. PTI
Crashed Mangalore plane was one of Air India's best, claims CMD
May 23, 2010
Mangalore, May 23 (ANI): Air India on Sunday said that various comments on the condition of the AIR India Express IX-812 plane that crashed in Mangalore on Saturday were baseless, and that it was one of the newest aircrafts.
Addressing a press conference here, the Air India's CMD Arvind Jadhav said: "The aircraft was brand new, just a few years old."
Mr. Jadhav also said that both the pilots had three days of rest." and Captain Harbinder Singh Ahluwalia had put in 3,750 hours of flying hours of experience into the job."
"They were experienced, didn't violate any DGCA guidelines, they were well rested, " Mr. Jadhav further stated.
He also announced an interim compensation to the kin of the victims of the Mangalore plane-crash that left 158 persons as dead and eight persons injured on Saturday.
While announcing the interim compensation of rupees 10,00,000 for the deceased (adults), Rs. 500,000 (kids) and Rs 200,000 for the injured, Mr. Jadhav said: "What Prime Minister has announced is over and above this compensation."
He said that 128 bodies have been handed over to the families and 12 bodies have not yet been identified as they were charred beyond recognition.
The CMD said that the AIR India, as a family, felt overwhelmed by the response of all who came forward in the rescue work.
"We were overwhelmed by the response of villagers, young doctors, local administration, local people," said Jadhav while expressing his gratefulness to the local rescuers.
"They not only helped in recovering bodies but also helped take them to hospitals," he said while appreciating the local disaster management group's quick response (ANI)
Mangalore, May 23 (ANI): Air India on Sunday said that various comments on the condition of the AIR India Express IX-812 plane that crashed in Mangalore on Saturday were baseless, and that it was one of the newest aircrafts.
Addressing a press conference here, the Air India's CMD Arvind Jadhav said: "The aircraft was brand new, just a few years old."
Mr. Jadhav also said that both the pilots had three days of rest." and Captain Harbinder Singh Ahluwalia had put in 3,750 hours of flying hours of experience into the job."
"They were experienced, didn't violate any DGCA guidelines, they were well rested, " Mr. Jadhav further stated.
He also announced an interim compensation to the kin of the victims of the Mangalore plane-crash that left 158 persons as dead and eight persons injured on Saturday.
While announcing the interim compensation of rupees 10,00,000 for the deceased (adults), Rs. 500,000 (kids) and Rs 200,000 for the injured, Mr. Jadhav said: "What Prime Minister has announced is over and above this compensation."
He said that 128 bodies have been handed over to the families and 12 bodies have not yet been identified as they were charred beyond recognition.
The CMD said that the AIR India, as a family, felt overwhelmed by the response of all who came forward in the rescue work.
"We were overwhelmed by the response of villagers, young doctors, local administration, local people," said Jadhav while expressing his gratefulness to the local rescuers.
"They not only helped in recovering bodies but also helped take them to hospitals," he said while appreciating the local disaster management group's quick response (ANI)
There was no distress indication from pilot: AAI
Mumbai: Visibility at the Mangalore airport where an Air India flight crashed today was more than required and there was 'no distress indication' from the pilot of the ill-fated plane, officials said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, they said. The visibility was 6 kms, which is 'more than that required', when the ill-fated plane landed in Mangalore, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman V P Agarwal told reporters in Delhi hours after the mishap. 'There was no distress indication from the pilot of the ill-fated plane,' he said.
Replying to a volley of questions, Agarwal said, 'No constructional defeciencies were noticed' and that authorities had conducted all necessary safety checks at the airport before the runway which has been operational since 2006. In Mumbai, Air India Director (Operations) Anup Srivastava said the plane overshot the runway after it landed at the airport, resulting in the mishap. Eight passengers of the ill-fated plane from Dubai survived the crash. 'There were 160 passengers, including four infants, and six crew on on board plane. Eight persons survived the crash,' he told reporters.
Agarwal said the visibility at the airport was 'very good' and situation deteriorated later. Srivastava said rainfall had started when the mishap took place. The Air India official said the commander of the plane was 53-year-old Z Glusica, a British national of Serbian origin. He had 10,000 hours of flying experience and his licence had been endorsed by the DGCA, making him 'capable' of flying in India. Glusica had been flying in India for last two years, Srivastava said, trying to dispel impression that he was not aware of the Indian conditions. The co-pilot H S Ahluwalia, who hailed from Karnataka,
was relatively new as he had begun flying here in April last year. He had 3,750 hours of flying experience. Glusica and Ahluwalia had last flown to Mangalore on May 17, Srivastava said.
The plane was two-and-a-half-year old and was air worthy, the Air India official said. PTI
Replying to a volley of questions, Agarwal said, 'No constructional defeciencies were noticed' and that authorities had conducted all necessary safety checks at the airport before the runway which has been operational since 2006. In Mumbai, Air India Director (Operations) Anup Srivastava said the plane overshot the runway after it landed at the airport, resulting in the mishap. Eight passengers of the ill-fated plane from Dubai survived the crash. 'There were 160 passengers, including four infants, and six crew on on board plane. Eight persons survived the crash,' he told reporters.
Agarwal said the visibility at the airport was 'very good' and situation deteriorated later. Srivastava said rainfall had started when the mishap took place. The Air India official said the commander of the plane was 53-year-old Z Glusica, a British national of Serbian origin. He had 10,000 hours of flying experience and his licence had been endorsed by the DGCA, making him 'capable' of flying in India. Glusica had been flying in India for last two years, Srivastava said, trying to dispel impression that he was not aware of the Indian conditions. The co-pilot H S Ahluwalia, who hailed from Karnataka,
was relatively new as he had begun flying here in April last year. He had 3,750 hours of flying experience. Glusica and Ahluwalia had last flown to Mangalore on May 17, Srivastava said.
The plane was two-and-a-half-year old and was air worthy, the Air India official said. PTI
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