Forget expansion, Mangaluru airport’s runway length now cut by 120 metres

News Network
January 4, 2018

Mangaluru Jan 4: The New Year hasn’t brought good tidings for airlines operating from Mangaluru International Airport. From December 31, the runway length has been reduced by 120 metres. The development comes months after the Airport Authority of India decided to postpone the Airport’s runway expansion plan.

It means that of the 2,450m of runway available, only 2,330m will be available for safety purposes. It will not affect passengers per se, but there will be a load penalty on airlines, especially international airlines carrying cargo, which will have to be reduced.

Airport authorities have alerted pilots about the shortened runway due to insufficient Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) at both ends.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) resorted to this move since the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) at both ends of the runway was found to be insufficient. RESA is the surface surrounding the runway prepared to limit the damage when airplanes overshoot the landing/take-off area.

MIA Director V V Rao confirmed that the AAI has issued a notice in this regard. He said it was a temporary issue. The airport, he explained, would require about three acres of land to extend the runway (back to 2,450 metres). Once the state government allots the land, the runway would be extended.

However, the reduction in runway length will not affect any passenger aircraft landing at the airport. "This is not only for MIA. Such notices have been issued to Kozhikode and Kannur airports too," Rao said.

Sources maintained that the move will not affect passengers. But there will be a load penalty on airlines, especially international airlines carrying cargo, which will have to be reduced. The MIA has been airlifting about 50 tonnes of daily essentials every month, which contain 30 types of vegetables and five types of fruits to West Asia.

MIA Manager (Cargo) K A Sreenivasan said that the cargo aircraft will not be affected by the runway reduction. On cargo tonnage, he said 1,699 tonnes of international cargo was exported from MIA in 2017 as against 867 tonnes in 2016. Similarly, 2,584 tonnes of domestic cargo was flown from MIA in 2017 as against 3,721 tonnes in 2016.

The AAI has also declared MIA as a silent airport from January 2. Accordingly, all public announcements by airlines have been stopped since Tuesday.

Instead, passengers could access flight information through display boards, SMSes and hands on assistance from airlines concerned. The needs of 'Divyang' passengers finding it tough to get flight information, will be taken care of, the airport director said.

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News Network
November 3,2024

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Bengaluru, Nov 3: In a heart-wrenching discovery, acclaimed Kannada film director Guruprasad, celebrated for his impactful films like Mata and Yeddelu Manjunatha, was found dead in a Bengaluru apartment on Sunday. 

The 52-year-old filmmaker, known for his work with deep social messages, is believed to have died two days prior in a suspected case of suicide, although authorities are still investigating to confirm the exact cause.

The decomposing body was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan in a flat in Madanayakanahalli after neighbors alerted the police due to a strong odor. Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police CK Baba confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is underway. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) joined the police at the scene to gather evidence.

Guruprasad, a respected figure in Kannada cinema, directed thought-provoking films such as Yeradanesala and Director Special and had also appeared in small roles in more than ten films. The film industry mourns the loss of a director who used cinema as a platform for social awareness.

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News Network
November 4,2024

In a tragic turn of events, a young spectator lost his life during a bull-taming event, Kobbari Hori, at Chigalli in Mundgod taluk, Uttara Kannada, on Saturday. 

Parameshwar Siddappa Harijan, aged 22, was fatally gored by a marauding bull during the event, which had drawn large crowds as part of the Deepavali festival celebrations.

With thousands of spectators lining the path to witness the action, the event took a horrific turn when the bull charged directly at Parameshwar, inflicting severe injuries. 

Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, Parameshwar tragically succumbed to his wounds on the way.

In response to the fatal accident, another bull-taming event scheduled for the evening in Mundgod town was promptly cancelled, as shock and grief swept through the community following the heartbreaking incident.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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