Mangalore Airport ready to handle air cargo: MR Vasudeva

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

November 9, 2010

Mangalore, November 9: In a positive move to utilise the enough space available at the old terminal building of Mangalore Airport for handling cargo, its Director MR Vasudeva on Monday said that Mangalore airport is ready to start air cargo, provided a custodian is appointed to start the operation.

Speaking at an interactive meeting with the stake holders on the establishment of air cargo complex at Mangalore airport, organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here he said four aircraft could be parked at the apron of old terminal building at Bajpe.

Vasudeva also said a private agency selected by inviting bids or Airports Authority of India (AAI) or a joint venture could take up the custodianship of cargo. “But initially it would not be possible for the AAI to take up the custodianship considering the procedures involved”, he added.

Responding to Vasudeva's statement, V Kannan, assistant general manager (technical), Central Warehousing Corporation, Bangalore, said the CWC was ready to take up the custodianship of cargo.

Chellam Prasad, station manager, Air India, Mangalore, said that Air India Express could take one tonne of cargo to Dubai on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Dubai-bound aircraft on those days originated from Mangalore instead of Kozhikode. She said space for cargo could be blocked on those days.

CC Philip, president, Customs House Agents' Association, said that Customs Department would have to issue a notification declaring Mangalore Airport fit to handle cargo. It was time for concrete action as construction of an airport at Kannur in Kerala would be taken up shortly. Kannur could get to handle cargo.

G Soundaryaraja, Deputy Commissioner, Customs (Mangalore Airport operations) and Vinod Poovappa DV, Superintendent of Customs at the airport, said the Government had issued guidelines in June 2010 for handling cargo operations in airports. Those guidelines would be adhered to before issuing a notification.

Giridhar Prabhu, former president, KCCI, said the chamber should study the possible inward cargo to Mangalore Airport. Gold, silver and medical equipment could be imported. Airlines should press scheduled flights (having room for cargo) for operation. Express flights had limitations for carrying cargo, he said.

Rajakumar S Naik, Assistant Director, the Marine Products Export Development Authority, Mangalore, said the authority could provide financial assistance for exporters.

G G Mohandas Prabhu, president, KCCI said that the chamber will conduct another meeting after a week to further strengthen the move and to initiate steps.

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Harekala Hajabba’s school introduces bilingual education

News Network

December 16,2024

In a significant milestone, the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School in Newpadpu, Harekala, has introduced a bilingual Kannada-English medium this academic year, a move spearheaded by Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba. The school has so far received 13 admissions for its Class 1 bilingual program.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the state government, which approved 38 schools across the district to launch bilingual mediums. Expressing his delight, Hajabba shared that he had been advocating for a bilingual school for years. "The bilingual medium will greatly benefit students in this region who otherwise rely on private schools. However, we currently face a shortage of classrooms. Construction of two additional classrooms is underway, and once completed, we expect higher admissions," he said.

The school had previously been permitted to introduce LKG and UKG classes in the last academic year. According to the school’s headmistress, Rajeshwari, while the pre-primary sections have seen good enrolment, the bilingual Class 1 faced challenges, securing only 13 students. She attributed this to the late notification of permission, which arrived a month after the academic year began, leading many children to enroll elsewhere.

Rajeshwari remains optimistic about the future. "We expect better admissions next academic year as awareness about bilingual education at this government school grows," she said, adding that the classroom shortage will soon be addressed.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) Venkatesha Subraya Patagara noted that bilingual schools across Dakshina Kannada have generally received a positive response, with some schools enrolling more than 100 students. The effort to offer bilingual education in government schools marks a step forward in providing affordable, quality education to underserved regions.

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