Bekal airstrip project remains a pipe dream

[email protected] (expressbuzz)
January 9, 2012

bekal

Bekal, January 9: The proposal for an airstrip that can receive 50-seater aircraft at Bekal in Kasargod, mooted by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) to promote tourism, is likely to turn into a pie in the sky for various reasons.

According to top sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, an airstrip is not feasible at Bekal due to the proximity of the land, claimed to have been identified for the project, to the existing Mangalore Bajpe International Airport and forthcoming Kannur International Airport.

The 80-acre land is in Periya village.

“The proposal for an airstrip has to get clearance from the Union Ministries of Home, Defence and Civil Aviation. When Bekal can be reached within two hours from Mangalore or Kannur airports, the chances of getting clearance for the project are highly unlikely. As per the regulations, Civil Aviation Ministry never gives approval for an airport within a radius of 100 miles of another airport,” sources maintained.

More importantly, there are certain security concerns as well. “For an aircraft to land at an airport or airstrip, the facility has to be created from an aerial distance of at least 40 km. For instance, if an airplane has to land at Kozhikode Airport, the facility has to be done from Kozhikode beach if the plane is coming from the Gulf.

The aerial distance from the proposed Bekal airstrip is equi-distant from Mangalore and Kannur airports but only a little over the landing facility. The risks involved will be proportionally higher when the volume of flights taking off and landing increases at Mangalore, Kannur and also at the proposed Bekal airstrip,” officials pointed out.

The whole project mooted four years ago appears to be a claim of bureaucrats to hoodwink the Centre.

Even when the BRDC officials claim that the land acquisition process has begun and the airstrip would be commissioned by 2013, the fact is that the BRDC is yet to enter into a contract with the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to prepare a detailed project report.

“We have received a proposal from the BRDC to prepare a detailed project report for the airstrip. In reply, we have informed the terms and conditions to the BRDC but they are yet to respond,” CIAL DGM Thankachan K P said.

Kasargod Additional District Magistrate Dineshan, who also holds the charge of Land Acquisition Deputy Collector, said the BRDC has not given a request for acquisition of land for the airstrip.

“But,as per a government request, we have recommended 80 acres of land in Periya village, of which 54.12 acre is revenue land and remaining is private land. So far, BRDC has not officially communicated about the land acquisition for the project,” he said.

When contacted, BRDC Manager (Land Acquisition) C Kumaran confirmed that they are yet to ent er into an agreement with CIAL. “As per the terms and conditions of the CIAL, the fee would be remitted and the work for preparing the project report will start soon. The requests for acquiring land for the project and obtaining clearances from the Unions Ministries could be forwarded only after receiving the detailed project report,” he said.


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News Network
November 21,2024

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Prominent NRI community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, fondly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.

Khalil had been admitted to Aster Hospital in Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to a double heart attack that worsened his condition, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.

The news of his passing has sent waves of grief across communities, particularly in his hometown of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where he was a celebrated figure. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting his significant contributions to international trade, social service, and education.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

A chartered accountant by profession, Khalil was a founding member of the Dubai chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), where he served as chairman from 1987 to 1994. His illustrious career included key leadership roles, such as general manager of Khaleej Times, group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies.

He also chaired Maadhyama Communications and Sahil Online, a web-based news platform, and was a director and trustee of several media companies and charitable organisations in Dubai and India.

A Champion for Education and Philanthropy

Khalil’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, he played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. His dedication to social upliftment earned him recognition from the Government of Karnataka, which honoured him with a prestigious award for his philanthropic contributions.

A Life Celebrated

The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently released a documentary celebrating Khalil’s remarkable life and service to the community—a testament to his enduring legacy.

CA Khalil is survived by his family and countless admirers across the globe. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to community service.

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News Network
November 28,2024

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: In a major breakthrough, police have arrested Rahul, alias Bol Karmaveer Eshwar Jat, a Haryana native, for a brutal train murder committed on October 25. Rahul, a notorious interstate serial offender, was apprehended after a relentless investigation involving multiple state police forces.

The October 25 incident occurred during a train journey when Rahul got into an argument over a cigarette with Mauzzam, a resident of Chikkaballapur. The altercation escalated, leading to Rahul strangling Mauzzam to death. He fled the scene with the victim’s mobile phone, bag, and cash.

Muazzan worked as a sales representative and was differently-abled. He boarded the train on October 24 from Yesvantpur and occupied the Divyang Coach. The incident came to light on the morning of October 25 at Udupi, where a railway guard found Muazzam unresponsive. The railway police immediately rushed him to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead.

Accused Rahul was tracked down through an exhaustive review of over 2,000 CCTV recordings by police teams from Valsad, Vapi, Surat, and Udvada. His identity was eventually confirmed by a vigilant officer from Surat Central Jail, leading to his capture in a joint operation by Railway and Surat police.

Rahul’s criminal record reveals a trail of horrifying offenses across Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, and West Bengal. Among these are the rape of a mentally ill minor girl in Pune and the rape and murder of a 19-year-old woman near Udvada railway station in Gujarat's Vapi district. Despite being arrested in the past, Rahul resumed his crimes after securing bail.

On November 19, he allegedly stabbed a 60-year-old man to death aboard the Katihar Express in West Bengal, with a case registered at the Howrah police station. In Telangana, he confessed to murdering a woman in yet another shocking crime.

Public Advisory:

  • Stay vigilant when traveling on trains, especially during late hours.
  • Report suspicious individuals or activities to railway authorities immediately.
  • Ensure your personal belongings are secure while traveling.
  • This arrest brings a sense of relief, but the investigations continue as authorities piece together the full extent of Rahul’s crimes.

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News Network
November 16,2024

Mangaluru: The Kavoor police in Mangaluru, Karnataka, have arrested three individuals from Kerala in connection with two separate cybercrime cases, including one involving extortion under the guise of a "digital arrest."

City Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal reported that one of the arrested individuals, Nisar, a resident of Ernakulam district, posed as a CBI officer. He allegedly threatened the complainant with arrest and extorted Rs 68 lakh. A case has been filed under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 308 (2) and 381 (4) of BNS.

In another case, the Kavoor police arrested two men, Sahil K P of Thiruvannur, Kozhikode, and Muhammad Nashath of Mappila Koyilandy, Kerala, in connection with a share trade fraud. The accused are alleged to have deceived the complainant by promising substantial profits from an investment in the stock market. Trusting the fraudsters, the complainant invested Rs 90 lakh, which was subsequently lost. A case has been registered under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 318 (4) and 3 (5) of BNS.

The accused were arrested in Koyilandi and presented before the court. The operation was carried out under the guidance of City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, led by Mangaluru North Sub-Division ACP Srikanth K, Kavoor Inspector Raghavendra Byndoor, Kavoor PSI Mallikarjuna Biradara, and staff members Ramanna Shetty, Bhuvaneshwari, Rajappa Kashibai, Praveen N, and Malatesh. 

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