Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Voltas bags orders worth Rs3bn
Voltas bags orders worth Rs3bn
Voltas' electro-mechancial business has secured two orders worth Rs3bn for electro-mechanical projects for the most prestigious and noteworthy 'new generation' airports in India, namely Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) airport, and Chennai International airport.
At the new Integrated Passenger Terminal of Kolkata's international airport, Voltas will undertake HVAC, internal electrification, and plumbing & drainage system works, to be completed in 24 months.
NSCBI airport, once completed will be the nation's third largest (after Mumbai and Delhi), built to handle a load of 20 million passengers annually. The challenge is to keep airport operations flowing smoothly while activating new facilities part by part, and simultaneously reconstructing existing buildings.
The Chennai project is for airport expansion, in which Voltas' scope of work includes HVAC, fire protection and internal electrification systems, to be completed in 21 months.
Voltas first proved itself in India's airport sector with Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Executed in 30 months, the project is distinguished by world-class installations for HVAC, internal electrification, plumbing and drainage, and a slew of utilities and low-voltage systems, from fire alarm to building management systems. It also earned the distinction of being the world's second and Asia's first airport to be awarded the LEED certification by the US Green Building Council.
The Hyderabad job showcased the capabilities Voltas had already shown in projects executed in more than 30 countries over the last three-and-a-half decades; the record includes the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chep Lak Kok, Bahrain International Airport, and Al Ain International Airport among others.
http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=103349&lmn=1
Voltas' electro-mechancial business has secured two orders worth Rs3bn for electro-mechanical projects for the most prestigious and noteworthy 'new generation' airports in India, namely Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) airport, and Chennai International airport.
At the new Integrated Passenger Terminal of Kolkata's international airport, Voltas will undertake HVAC, internal electrification, and plumbing & drainage system works, to be completed in 24 months.
NSCBI airport, once completed will be the nation's third largest (after Mumbai and Delhi), built to handle a load of 20 million passengers annually. The challenge is to keep airport operations flowing smoothly while activating new facilities part by part, and simultaneously reconstructing existing buildings.
The Chennai project is for airport expansion, in which Voltas' scope of work includes HVAC, fire protection and internal electrification systems, to be completed in 21 months.
Voltas first proved itself in India's airport sector with Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Executed in 30 months, the project is distinguished by world-class installations for HVAC, internal electrification, plumbing and drainage, and a slew of utilities and low-voltage systems, from fire alarm to building management systems. It also earned the distinction of being the world's second and Asia's first airport to be awarded the LEED certification by the US Green Building Council.
The Hyderabad job showcased the capabilities Voltas had already shown in projects executed in more than 30 countries over the last three-and-a-half decades; the record includes the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chep Lak Kok, Bahrain International Airport, and Al Ain International Airport among others.
http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=103349&lmn=1
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Upgrade of Kolkata, Chennai airports to cost Rs 1,000 cr more
NEW DELHI: Modernisation of Chennai and Kolkata airports is expected to cost an additional Rs 1,000 crore over and above the original estimate of Rs 3,750 crore.
"The original estimates have increased and the modernisation of both the airports
is expected to cost about Rs 2,300 crore each," Planning Commission sources told PTI, adding, the issue came up during a meeting to review the implementation of the decisions of high-powered Committee on Infrastructure, which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Modernisation of the two airport projects was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in August 2008 at a cost of over Rs 3,750 crore and the work was to be completed within three years. Although the projects are likely to cost more, the work is likely to be completed within stipulated time, the official said without specifying the reasons for the cost escalation.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI), which is implementing the projects, has informed the CoI that work has started on modernisation of the two airports. After completion of the projects, the two airports will be at par with those at Delhi and Mumbai. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had approval of the modernisation schemes.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Upgrade-of-Kolkata-Chennai-airports-to-cost-Rs-1000-cr-more/articleshow/4561090.cms
"The original estimates have increased and the modernisation of both the airports
is expected to cost about Rs 2,300 crore each," Planning Commission sources told PTI, adding, the issue came up during a meeting to review the implementation of the decisions of high-powered Committee on Infrastructure, which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Modernisation of the two airport projects was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in August 2008 at a cost of over Rs 3,750 crore and the work was to be completed within three years. Although the projects are likely to cost more, the work is likely to be completed within stipulated time, the official said without specifying the reasons for the cost escalation.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI), which is implementing the projects, has informed the CoI that work has started on modernisation of the two airports. After completion of the projects, the two airports will be at par with those at Delhi and Mumbai. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had approval of the modernisation schemes.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Upgrade-of-Kolkata-Chennai-airports-to-cost-Rs-1000-cr-more/articleshow/4561090.cms
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Nearly 100 people use option 49(0), don't vote for anybody
Nearly 100 people use option 49(0), don't vote for anybody
Nearly 100 people 'affected' by the land acquisition made for expansion of the Chennai airport today recorded their protest by making use of a relevant section in the election procedure 49(0) — not casting vote for any particular candidate — during the Lok Sabha elections held here today.
S Karthikeyan, a resident of Tharapakkam, one of the areas which has been earmarked for land acquisition for the project, told PTI that he and the other protesters preferred not to vote "to express anger against the government."
Tharapakkam comes under Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha constituency, where Union Minister T R Baalu is contesting from.
"About 100 affected persons went to the respective booths and signed the Form 17-A (to declare the intention not to vote)," Kartikeyan, spokesperson for the umbrella organisation 'United Forum for People's Survival' said. Under section 49-O, the voter can record his decision not to vote, for which Form 17-A is made available
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/nearly-100-people-use-option-490-don%5Ct-vote-for-anybody/61447/on
Nearly 100 people 'affected' by the land acquisition made for expansion of the Chennai airport today recorded their protest by making use of a relevant section in the election procedure 49(0) — not casting vote for any particular candidate — during the Lok Sabha elections held here today.
S Karthikeyan, a resident of Tharapakkam, one of the areas which has been earmarked for land acquisition for the project, told PTI that he and the other protesters preferred not to vote "to express anger against the government."
Tharapakkam comes under Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha constituency, where Union Minister T R Baalu is contesting from.
"About 100 affected persons went to the respective booths and signed the Form 17-A (to declare the intention not to vote)," Kartikeyan, spokesperson for the umbrella organisation 'United Forum for People's Survival' said. Under section 49-O, the voter can record his decision not to vote, for which Form 17-A is made available
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/nearly-100-people-use-option-490-don%5Ct-vote-for-anybody/61447/on
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Another high: 10,000 cast no-vote
Another high: 10,000 cast no-vote
Despite Training, Polling Officers Caught Unawares On Rule 49(O) Procedures
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:More than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49(O), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the polling booth, but not cast his vote for any candidate. However, in many cases election officers were caught unawares.
Despite the election department’s claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option. A few officials who knew that it existed, however, were not familiar with the right procedure to be followed. Corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni admitted that the turnout was unexpectedly big.
V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist, was the first at the MGR Corporation School in Chennai South constituency to ask for the Rule 49 (O) option. “The polling officer at booth 136 was totally blank. Then he asked me to ‘vote for some candidate and leave’. When I insisted on entering my refusal to vote in the 17A register, he called the zonal officer, who was equally ignorant. Finally, I called the district electoral officer and, after 90 minutes of struggle, got it done,” said Gopalakrishnan.
Dr S Murugasundaram, a dermatologist and a voter of ward 70 of Kilpauk in Chennai Central, had a similar experience when he went to vote at 8am. “The officer was rude when told about 49(O). He asked me not to create a ruckus and leave the place. However, I stood my ground and registered my refusal to vote,” he said. Several people complained of policemen threatening them when they refused to leave the polling booths without registering their names under Rule 49(O) to prevent bogus voting in their names.
V Anandarajan of Nanganallur, which falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency, found the exercise smoother, but the officer there refused to apply indelible ink on his finger though the rule specifies that ink should be marked on the voter’s finger. All this, despite posters in front of polling booths mentioning the rule and the procedure being explained in the polling officer’s handbook (page 39). According to Gopalakrishnan, what compounded the confusion was the use of the Tamil word ‘padivam’ (form) to describe 17A instead of ‘padivedu’ (register) under rule 49(O). Voters insisted on a form, while all they had to do was to sign in the register which others did, too, and mention in the remarks column ‘refuse to vote’. Admitting there was widespread confusion, corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni said an unexpectedly large number of people opted for rule 49 (O). “Some officials may not have taken the training seriously and nobody anticipated such a large number of people choosing the option,” he said.
In Sriperumbudur constituency, residents affected by the expansion of Chennai airport had pledged to exercise the ‘no vote’ option to express displeasure at the indifference shown by political parties to their plight. But only 60 exercised it at different polling booths in Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam, Kovur and Tarapakkam in the constituency.
The rest of them chose to boycott the polls, frightened of being harassed by agents of political parties. Brinda Brighton, an office bearer of the United Peoples’ Forum for Survival, formed by affected residents, said: “People are now afraid of local agents of political parties.
There is no privacy in exercising the ‘no vote’ option because we have to ask the presiding officer for form 17A and we are identified by party agents. At least in the next polls, the Election Commission should make it possible for people to exercise the option on the EVMs.”
CASTING THEIR DISPLEASURE More than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49(O), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the booth but not cast his vote for any candidate Despite the election department’s claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option.
Though residents affected by the expansion of Chennai airport had pledged to exercise the no-vote option to express displeasure at the indifference shown by political parties to their plight, only 60 exercised the right
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOINEW/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&showST=true&login=default
Despite Training, Polling Officers Caught Unawares On Rule 49(O) Procedures
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:More than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49(O), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the polling booth, but not cast his vote for any candidate. However, in many cases election officers were caught unawares.
Despite the election department’s claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option. A few officials who knew that it existed, however, were not familiar with the right procedure to be followed. Corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni admitted that the turnout was unexpectedly big.
V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist, was the first at the MGR Corporation School in Chennai South constituency to ask for the Rule 49 (O) option. “The polling officer at booth 136 was totally blank. Then he asked me to ‘vote for some candidate and leave’. When I insisted on entering my refusal to vote in the 17A register, he called the zonal officer, who was equally ignorant. Finally, I called the district electoral officer and, after 90 minutes of struggle, got it done,” said Gopalakrishnan.
Dr S Murugasundaram, a dermatologist and a voter of ward 70 of Kilpauk in Chennai Central, had a similar experience when he went to vote at 8am. “The officer was rude when told about 49(O). He asked me not to create a ruckus and leave the place. However, I stood my ground and registered my refusal to vote,” he said. Several people complained of policemen threatening them when they refused to leave the polling booths without registering their names under Rule 49(O) to prevent bogus voting in their names.
V Anandarajan of Nanganallur, which falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency, found the exercise smoother, but the officer there refused to apply indelible ink on his finger though the rule specifies that ink should be marked on the voter’s finger. All this, despite posters in front of polling booths mentioning the rule and the procedure being explained in the polling officer’s handbook (page 39). According to Gopalakrishnan, what compounded the confusion was the use of the Tamil word ‘padivam’ (form) to describe 17A instead of ‘padivedu’ (register) under rule 49(O). Voters insisted on a form, while all they had to do was to sign in the register which others did, too, and mention in the remarks column ‘refuse to vote’. Admitting there was widespread confusion, corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni said an unexpectedly large number of people opted for rule 49 (O). “Some officials may not have taken the training seriously and nobody anticipated such a large number of people choosing the option,” he said.
In Sriperumbudur constituency, residents affected by the expansion of Chennai airport had pledged to exercise the ‘no vote’ option to express displeasure at the indifference shown by political parties to their plight. But only 60 exercised it at different polling booths in Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam, Kovur and Tarapakkam in the constituency.
The rest of them chose to boycott the polls, frightened of being harassed by agents of political parties. Brinda Brighton, an office bearer of the United Peoples’ Forum for Survival, formed by affected residents, said: “People are now afraid of local agents of political parties.
There is no privacy in exercising the ‘no vote’ option because we have to ask the presiding officer for form 17A and we are identified by party agents. At least in the next polls, the Election Commission should make it possible for people to exercise the option on the EVMs.”
CASTING THEIR DISPLEASURE More than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49(O), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the booth but not cast his vote for any candidate Despite the election department’s claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option.
Though residents affected by the expansion of Chennai airport had pledged to exercise the no-vote option to express displeasure at the indifference shown by political parties to their plight, only 60 exercised the right
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOINEW/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&showST=true&login=default
Monday, May 11, 2009
Airport expansion victims to cast zero votes
CHENNAI: The words of T R Baalu was all it took for those affected by the airport expansion plan in Sriperumbudur constituency to decide on Zero voting during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
On Monday, the affected residents of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Geragambakkam and Tarapakkam met Baalu to discuss their predicament, but the response from the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways was, “Airport expansion is in national interest, for which one has to make sacrifices.” He even went on to cite how he had given up his own land in Thanjavur for the sake of national interest.
The Airport Authority of India had notified 939 acres for a parallel runway.
“This would result in the eviction of 947 dwelling houses, 250 semi constructed houses, 2,000 approved plots, 14 brick kilns, an international school with 2,000 students, 15 small scale industries, 500 acres of agricultural land, livelihood of 25,000 people and last but not the least, the lives of 500,000 people,” said Brindha, a resident of this area and the leader of the resident’s movement to protect their lands, under the banner ‘United People Forum for Survival’.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Airport+expansion+victims+to+cast+zero+votes&artid=q/O/Ao/OkA8=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=Sriperumbudur%20constituency,T%20R%20Baalu
On Monday, the affected residents of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Geragambakkam and Tarapakkam met Baalu to discuss their predicament, but the response from the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways was, “Airport expansion is in national interest, for which one has to make sacrifices.” He even went on to cite how he had given up his own land in Thanjavur for the sake of national interest.
The Airport Authority of India had notified 939 acres for a parallel runway.
“This would result in the eviction of 947 dwelling houses, 250 semi constructed houses, 2,000 approved plots, 14 brick kilns, an international school with 2,000 students, 15 small scale industries, 500 acres of agricultural land, livelihood of 25,000 people and last but not the least, the lives of 500,000 people,” said Brindha, a resident of this area and the leader of the resident’s movement to protect their lands, under the banner ‘United People Forum for Survival’.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Airport+expansion+victims+to+cast+zero+votes&artid=q/O/Ao/OkA8=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=Sriperumbudur%20constituency,T%20R%20Baalu
Airport expansion: No vote
Airport expansion: No vote
Chennai: The United Peoples’ Forum for Survival is a forum formed by the people affected by the Chennai airport expansion project, has decided to boycott the general elections if no political party comes forward to give an assurance to de-notify the project.
The forum coordinated by the affected residents of Manapakkam, Gerugumpakkam, Kolapakkam, Tharapakkam and Kovur have also stated that they would support any party that will promise the de-notification.
The forum demanded immediate de-notification of the acquisition plan of excess 939 acres of land, which was allotted for the parallel runway.
When Airport Authority of India considers Greenfield Airport to be more advisable, why should they proceed with the land acquisition which affects the livelihood of more than a lakh of people.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/aiadmk-reaches-out-students-722
Residents affected by airport expansion to boycott elections
MAKING A STAND: A file picture showing social activist Medha Patkar with residents protesting in ManapakkamResidents affected by airport expansion to boycott elections
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai: Irked by political indifference to their demands, residents of Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam, Tarapakkam and Kovur have decided to either boycott the polls or exercise the right ‘not to vote’ under Rule 49 (O) of the Conduct of Election Rules.
These villages, which house about 2,500 families and 5,000 voters, come under the Sriperumbudur constituency and the land here has been marked for acquisition to construct a parallel runway for the airport.
“We will not support any political party unless political parties give an undertaking that they will de-notify the 939 acres of land marked for acquisition,” said representatives of the United Peoples’ Forum for Survival, formed by residents whose land has been notified for acquisition for more than a year.
At a press conference, Brinda Brighton, an office-bearer of the forum, said “we have been raising this demand for a while, but none of the candidates has made any commitment to save us. This has not figured as an issue in the campaigning also. So, residents and their well wishers will also boycott the polls.”
In addition to the 130 acres of land handed over for extending the secondary runway, the state government has notified around 939 acres of land in these villages for constructing a parallel runway. However, the state government had not only failed to acquire the land for over a year, but also had kept the residents in the dark about the status of the move.
“We want the government to go ahead with the Greenfield airport instead of spending huge money to build a parallel runway. The runway will take away 947 houses, 250 semi-constructed houses, 2,000 approved plots, 14 brick kilns, an international school with 2,000 students, 15 small-scale industries, and 500 acres of agriculture land,” Brighton said.
Recently, residents brought social activist Medha Patkar and staged a protest meet at Manapakkam urging the government to de-notify the land marked for acquisition and demanding the government to go ahead with the Greenfield airport.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Airport runway expansion by May-end
Airport runway expansion by May-end
CHENNAI: A final word on the runway expansions at Chenai airport would emerge by the end of May after a meeting scheduled in Delhi this month. This was stated by the Airports Authority of India Chairman, V P Agarwal, who was on an inspection visit to Chennai on Saturday.
The expansion and renovation plans of the main and secondary runways with appended link and taxiways that was to begin in the first week of April had been stalled owing to approval delays on the project by the airport authorities in Delhi after a representation was made by the airline operators on the non-viability of the project in the face of losses that they are already facing.
“There was only a coordination issue on the project with the airlines which will most probably be sorted out by the end of this month and we will have a decision then,” he said. On queries related to the radar failure, Agarwal agreed that a new radar was long overdue.
“Chennai will have two new radars, which have already been tendered for and will now be recalled. One radar will be installed by the end of 2009 and the other one will come in a phased manner,” Agarwal said.
A total modernisation of the ATC tower is also in the offing where more automated processes will be brought in at a cost of Rs 140 crore on lines of what is available in Delhi and Mumbai.
Greenfield airport decision awaits ICAO report:
On being queried on the greenfield airport, Agarwal said that they were awaiting a detailed report, which was likely to be ready in the next two months, and if everything went well, the airport would come up in a joint venture with TIDCO if there was no scope for a parallel runway at the existing airport.
“If a greenfield airport comes, it’ll take care of requirements of passengers for the next 30 years and if everything goes well for that project it can be done within three years in the Sriperumbudur area. In that case, we don’t have to look at the high investments in procuring land for the parallel runway at the existing airport,” he said.
Comments
Now that the Chairman of AAI has agreed in public that the Green field Airport is the right alternative than going for the parallel runway, let's hope the government to will take immediate steps and de-notify the areas already notified for Parallel runway which will enable the residents there to continue with their normal life and re-start the construction activities stalled for 2 years. This decision to do away with the parallel runway saves a lot of public money from being wasted and greenfield airport is the only futuristic decision chennai needs.
By S Brighton 5/10/2009 11:23:00 PM
It makes sense for AAI to go for new greenfield airport with futuristic approach than try to expand the run, giving hardships thru land acquisition. Though Sriperumpudur would also witness similar land acquisition (it isn't really practical, otherwise), impact on land owners and environment will be significantly less. I hope AAI initiate new greenfield airport project ASAP, to realize the airport up and running by 2014.
By ramki 5/10/2009 7:01:00 PM
Absolutely now that AAI realised the realty, and hope they would stall the land acquisition programme on it's surroundings, thus, heaving a sigh of relief to the residents there instead. On the other hand, AAI should start implementing the new greenfield airport at Sriperumpudur at the earliest possible, in order to meet the requirements for the next 30 years or so.
By Jeeva 5/10/2009 1:16:00 PM
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Airport+runway+expansion+by+May-end&artid=yFryHP1U6GY=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=Airports%20Authority%20of%20India%20Chairman,%20V%20P%20Agarwal
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Construction activity at airport creates dust pollution, lowers visibility
Construction activity at airport creates dust pollution, lowers visibility
There is a flurry of activity in Chennai airport's backyard across the Adyar river where work is on to extend the secondary runway. A pall of dust hangs in the air as hundreds of trucks dump soil and earth movers level the barren tract of land. All this is preliminary work in the laying of taxiways and the construction of an apron and other facilities.
The pall of dust is creating problems, not only for aircraft operations but also for residents in neighbouring Manapakkam, Tarapakkam and Porur who are trying to battle pollution. Although the impact of dust on aircraft and on the airport itself has not been studied yet, experts say that too much of dust near the runway is not a good thing because it affects visibility. Already, a combination of dust and high humidity has been creating early morning fog, bringing down visibility levels considerably. "Instances of low visibility at the airport have been increasing over the years, from less than 5 days in a year the 1970s to more than 20 days now.
The dust and pollution caused by the emergence of residential neighbourhoods is one of the reasons. Our staff assessing visibility has reported the sudden formation of fog in the hours before dawn," says an official of the airport meteorological department. "There is also a brick kiln that could be raising dust. We are planning to investigate," he adds. In the past few weeks, visibility has dipped dramatically from 4,000 metres, reducing to 40 metres on March 6.
Chennai airport does not have a Runway Visual Range (RVR) instrument, which makes matters worse. "Air-side vehicles coming close to the aircraft also cause trouble and can be considered one of the reasons for technical snags," says a directorate general of civil aviation official. However, TIFAC CORE (expansion??) director of Hindustan University N S Venkatraman says that dust is not a major irritant for aircraft although it affects visibility drastically.
Says retired pilot Captain A Ranganathan: "Dust normally causes minimal problems to aircraft. Dust settling on aircraft causes extra drag and leads to high fuel use." He adds that if the electronics bay is kept open for a long time during or after maintenance, it will cause electronics failure. "The Amsterdam crash happened after the radio altimeter failed, probably because of dust infiltration. But I have not seen such systems failing in India because of dust-related problems. Runways often have rubber and oil deposits. So, if dust settles on the runway, even a slight drizzle makes it slippery. Unless the airport removes rubber deposit frequently, safety will be compromised.
" An aircraft engineer says that maintenance should be time-bound and carried out for all aircraft. "There is a maintenance time frame for each part, including hydraulic systems and fluid checks. The deadlines must be kept." An Airports Authority of India official says that dust-control measures such as sprinkling of water is on. "We are bringing partially wet soil for laying the secondary runway so that not much of dust is kicked off," he said.
The Met department at the airport does not have access to pollution statistics produced and monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board. "If we have access to the data we can forecast dip in visibility," the official said. An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) document says that non-airport related activities such as road vehicles accessing the airport and operating near roadways, air-side vehicles, as well as the geographical area are relevant to assessment under the national regulatory scheme.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Construction-activity-at-airport-creates-dust-pollution-lowers-visibility/articleshow/4363400.cms
There is a flurry of activity in Chennai airport's backyard across the Adyar river where work is on to extend the secondary runway. A pall of dust hangs in the air as hundreds of trucks dump soil and earth movers level the barren tract of land. All this is preliminary work in the laying of taxiways and the construction of an apron and other facilities.
The pall of dust is creating problems, not only for aircraft operations but also for residents in neighbouring Manapakkam, Tarapakkam and Porur who are trying to battle pollution. Although the impact of dust on aircraft and on the airport itself has not been studied yet, experts say that too much of dust near the runway is not a good thing because it affects visibility. Already, a combination of dust and high humidity has been creating early morning fog, bringing down visibility levels considerably. "Instances of low visibility at the airport have been increasing over the years, from less than 5 days in a year the 1970s to more than 20 days now.
The dust and pollution caused by the emergence of residential neighbourhoods is one of the reasons. Our staff assessing visibility has reported the sudden formation of fog in the hours before dawn," says an official of the airport meteorological department. "There is also a brick kiln that could be raising dust. We are planning to investigate," he adds. In the past few weeks, visibility has dipped dramatically from 4,000 metres, reducing to 40 metres on March 6.
Chennai airport does not have a Runway Visual Range (RVR) instrument, which makes matters worse. "Air-side vehicles coming close to the aircraft also cause trouble and can be considered one of the reasons for technical snags," says a directorate general of civil aviation official. However, TIFAC CORE (expansion??) director of Hindustan University N S Venkatraman says that dust is not a major irritant for aircraft although it affects visibility drastically.
Says retired pilot Captain A Ranganathan: "Dust normally causes minimal problems to aircraft. Dust settling on aircraft causes extra drag and leads to high fuel use." He adds that if the electronics bay is kept open for a long time during or after maintenance, it will cause electronics failure. "The Amsterdam crash happened after the radio altimeter failed, probably because of dust infiltration. But I have not seen such systems failing in India because of dust-related problems. Runways often have rubber and oil deposits. So, if dust settles on the runway, even a slight drizzle makes it slippery. Unless the airport removes rubber deposit frequently, safety will be compromised.
" An aircraft engineer says that maintenance should be time-bound and carried out for all aircraft. "There is a maintenance time frame for each part, including hydraulic systems and fluid checks. The deadlines must be kept." An Airports Authority of India official says that dust-control measures such as sprinkling of water is on. "We are bringing partially wet soil for laying the secondary runway so that not much of dust is kicked off," he said.
The Met department at the airport does not have access to pollution statistics produced and monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board. "If we have access to the data we can forecast dip in visibility," the official said. An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) document says that non-airport related activities such as road vehicles accessing the airport and operating near roadways, air-side vehicles, as well as the geographical area are relevant to assessment under the national regulatory scheme.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Construction-activity-at-airport-creates-dust-pollution-lowers-visibility/articleshow/4363400.cms
Work on airport expansion chokes traffic
Work on airport expansion chokes traffic
CHENNAI: A huge row of taxis on the left of the road that leads to the international arrival and departure terminals at the Chennai Airport, is choking traffic in the area.
With the domestic arrival now being shifted to the new international terminal, the movement of traffic at the airport seems to have shifted to one side of the airport. While the increase in passenger movement has resulted in frequent vehicle pile ups in the region, the row of taxis has only compounded the chaos. The domestic arrival was shifted to the international terminal because of expansion work that is taking place on the domestic side of the airport.
The airport closed the access roads outside the terminal to vehicular traffic, after a series of hoax bomb terror threats. As a result, vehicles coming to the airport are now re-routed through the first parking lane outside both terminals. Not only is that affecting the vehicular flow, it is also causing long traffic jams. However, there are no easy solutions, according to a senior official.
The traffic jams are “a minor inconvenience” that the passengers have to put up with for as long as work on the terminal expansion continues.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Expansion of city airport runway put on hold
Expansion of city airport runway put on hold
First Published : 01 Apr 2009 01:45:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Apr 2009 08:39:11 AM IST
CHENNAI: The expansion and renovation plans for the main and secondary runway at Chennai airport, with appended link and taxiways that was to begin in the first week of April have been postponed due to approval delays by airport authorities in Delhi.
On March 16, The New Indian Express reported on the proposed expansion that would go on for four months.
The Airports Authority of India had decided to close the main runway and secondary runway alternatively, between April and July, owing to runway expansion work. The main runway 07/25, was to be closed to accommodate linkways and taxiways work that was to commence at the beginning of April.
Following this, airline operators in Chennai had reportedly made a representation at the central level stating that the project was not viable owing to huge penalties on their load factor and the new summer schedules that were planned in coordination with all agencies.
Following this, the project was postponed until further discussions with the AAI chairman.
Senior AAI officials in Chennai told The New Indian Express that work on the project would begin once the planning authorities in New Delhi gave the necessary approval. From then on a NOTAM-notice to airmen has to be served at least one week prior to the beginning of this expansion.
AIRLINES’ TAKE
Operators suggest taking up extension of the secondary runway first to increase its length from 2,205m to 3,235m to facilitate take-off and landing without compromising on the load an aircraft can carry. The initial project plan had no timelines on expansion of the secondary runway.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Expansion+of+city+airport+runway+put+on+hold&artid=mNZvzshuXtM=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=
First Published : 01 Apr 2009 01:45:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Apr 2009 08:39:11 AM IST
CHENNAI: The expansion and renovation plans for the main and secondary runway at Chennai airport, with appended link and taxiways that was to begin in the first week of April have been postponed due to approval delays by airport authorities in Delhi.
On March 16, The New Indian Express reported on the proposed expansion that would go on for four months.
The Airports Authority of India had decided to close the main runway and secondary runway alternatively, between April and July, owing to runway expansion work. The main runway 07/25, was to be closed to accommodate linkways and taxiways work that was to commence at the beginning of April.
Following this, airline operators in Chennai had reportedly made a representation at the central level stating that the project was not viable owing to huge penalties on their load factor and the new summer schedules that were planned in coordination with all agencies.
Following this, the project was postponed until further discussions with the AAI chairman.
Senior AAI officials in Chennai told The New Indian Express that work on the project would begin once the planning authorities in New Delhi gave the necessary approval. From then on a NOTAM-notice to airmen has to be served at least one week prior to the beginning of this expansion.
AIRLINES’ TAKE
Operators suggest taking up extension of the secondary runway first to increase its length from 2,205m to 3,235m to facilitate take-off and landing without compromising on the load an aircraft can carry. The initial project plan had no timelines on expansion of the secondary runway.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Expansion+of+city+airport+runway+put+on+hold&artid=mNZvzshuXtM=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=
Broom with a view awaits leadersSangeetha Neeraja
Broom with a view awaits leadersSangeetha Neeraja
Sangeetha Neeraja
First Published : 07 Apr 2009 02:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 07 Apr 2009 08:11:17 AM IST
CHENNAI: Unoin Minister T R Baalu better watch out.
Residents of Lakshmi Nagar, who have received notices for land acquisition, are readying broomsticks to be hung from doorways to welcome politicians visiting them to seek votes.
The not-so-affluent residents of Lakshmi Nagar near the airport had bought land in instalments with their hard earned money.
Most of them, Dalits from villages around Chennai, had been daily wage earners and had moved into the locality that now falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency to lead a better life.
But in December 2007, under 3(2) section of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997, the government served notices to acquire their land for a parallel runway to the existing primary runway.
“We didn’t rob anybody. We worked hard day in and day out and bought this land. If they knew about this expansion plan, why did they give patta to our land? If anybody comes to ask for votes, our broomsticks will speak,” said a visibly agitated Nagamma. Seconding her, other women chorused,
“We are planning to hang broomsticks in front of our houses to welcome the
visiting politicians.”
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?title=Broom%20with%20a%20view%20awaits%20leadersSangeetha%20Neeraja&artid=ILkRiQCPFKw=&type=
Sangeetha Neeraja
First Published : 07 Apr 2009 02:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 07 Apr 2009 08:11:17 AM IST
CHENNAI: Unoin Minister T R Baalu better watch out.
Residents of Lakshmi Nagar, who have received notices for land acquisition, are readying broomsticks to be hung from doorways to welcome politicians visiting them to seek votes.
The not-so-affluent residents of Lakshmi Nagar near the airport had bought land in instalments with their hard earned money.
Most of them, Dalits from villages around Chennai, had been daily wage earners and had moved into the locality that now falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency to lead a better life.
But in December 2007, under 3(2) section of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997, the government served notices to acquire their land for a parallel runway to the existing primary runway.
“We didn’t rob anybody. We worked hard day in and day out and bought this land. If they knew about this expansion plan, why did they give patta to our land? If anybody comes to ask for votes, our broomsticks will speak,” said a visibly agitated Nagamma. Seconding her, other women chorused,
“We are planning to hang broomsticks in front of our houses to welcome the
visiting politicians.”
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?title=Broom%20with%20a%20view%20awaits%20leadersSangeetha%20Neeraja&artid=ILkRiQCPFKw=&type=
DMK to face fire over airport extension plan
DMK to face fire over airport extension plan :
CHENNAI: The new settlers in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Geragambakkam and Tarapakkam in Sriperumbudur constituency are set to vote against the DMK. All are victims of the airport extension plan and they say their vote will go to the person who gives them a written assurance about denotification of their lands which were notified to be acquired for the parallel runway to be added to the existing primary runway. Under section 3(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997, the people were served notices that their land would be acquired. Under this expansion plan, 1069.99 acres of land were to be acquired for the parallel runway expansion. Because of this expansion, 947 dwelling houses, 20 small industries and one school will be levelled down.
“This is a draconian law. Under this act, the government does not need to give a specific time period, but can serve a notice and acquire the land when they choose to do it. But we, the people, are living in eternal anxiety of not knowing when our homes will be taken away from us,” said Brindha, a resident of this area and the leader of the resident’s movement to protect their lands under the banner ‘United People Forum for Survival’.
After the government started issuing notices from December 2007, the banks had stopped funding for the people who had taken home loans in this area and the houses remain incomplete. One such case is Macro Marvel, a new colony that came up behind the airport, and is full of retired people.
“We have invested all our life savings in this house. If the government demolishes our homes we do not know where to go. After the government served the notices, we have completely lost our peace. Many of us had developed sugar, BP. We are living in an eternal state of anxiety,” said Prema, wife of a retired army colonel.
In EVP Town, a new township, the construction was stopped after the government issued notification. Hundreds of people who had invested lakhs of rupees are at their wits end with the project coming to a standstill. So far 2500 people were served notices in this expansion plan.
“No feasibility report and no environmental clearances were taken. This parallel runway will come in between Poorur Lake and Adyar River and 2500 acres around this region are flood plains during the rainy season. This 15 km wall, to be constructed across the parallel runway, will cause havoc during the rainy season, causing floods in this region. Even in 2008 during the November-December rains, major flooding happened in this region,” said Brindha.
Kovur farmers object to relocation plan
The villagers of Kovur, a Mudaliyar dominated agricultural village, are set to vote against the DMK government, which plans to plunder their rightful agricultural lands.
Kovur, a quaint village in Sriperembudur that had for long run itself as an agricultural economy, is now getting a new identity as a dump yard for people displaced by the airport extension programme. This rehabilitation comes at a cost. To resettle the displaced, the government is acquiring 56 acres of agricultural lands under cultivation. There are 2000 people who are dependent on these lands for their livelihood.
Chidambaram, an agriculturist who owns 4 acres of land, which has been notified by the government to be acquired, said, “After the government notified the lands the banks have stopped giving agricultural loans. Sixty percent of the people have stopped cultivating the lands. We are buying rice from the shops. What kind of government is this, which takes away what rightfully belongs to the people? We are not going to give up this fight. These are the lands of our ancestors and nobody is going to take it away from us.”
These villagers were served notice in December 2007 and many had stopped cultivating because of a lack of funds from the banks. The lands are lying fallow in spite of there being plenty of water for irrigation. Ganasekaran another villager said, “ the government is creating an artificial famine in our place by creating a situation where we are forced not to cultivate.”
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=DMK+to+face+fire+over+airport+extension+plan&artid=vHLb9k288Hg=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=Sriperumbudur%20constituency
CHENNAI: The new settlers in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Geragambakkam and Tarapakkam in Sriperumbudur constituency are set to vote against the DMK. All are victims of the airport extension plan and they say their vote will go to the person who gives them a written assurance about denotification of their lands which were notified to be acquired for the parallel runway to be added to the existing primary runway. Under section 3(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997, the people were served notices that their land would be acquired. Under this expansion plan, 1069.99 acres of land were to be acquired for the parallel runway expansion. Because of this expansion, 947 dwelling houses, 20 small industries and one school will be levelled down.
“This is a draconian law. Under this act, the government does not need to give a specific time period, but can serve a notice and acquire the land when they choose to do it. But we, the people, are living in eternal anxiety of not knowing when our homes will be taken away from us,” said Brindha, a resident of this area and the leader of the resident’s movement to protect their lands under the banner ‘United People Forum for Survival’.
After the government started issuing notices from December 2007, the banks had stopped funding for the people who had taken home loans in this area and the houses remain incomplete. One such case is Macro Marvel, a new colony that came up behind the airport, and is full of retired people.
“We have invested all our life savings in this house. If the government demolishes our homes we do not know where to go. After the government served the notices, we have completely lost our peace. Many of us had developed sugar, BP. We are living in an eternal state of anxiety,” said Prema, wife of a retired army colonel.
In EVP Town, a new township, the construction was stopped after the government issued notification. Hundreds of people who had invested lakhs of rupees are at their wits end with the project coming to a standstill. So far 2500 people were served notices in this expansion plan.
“No feasibility report and no environmental clearances were taken. This parallel runway will come in between Poorur Lake and Adyar River and 2500 acres around this region are flood plains during the rainy season. This 15 km wall, to be constructed across the parallel runway, will cause havoc during the rainy season, causing floods in this region. Even in 2008 during the November-December rains, major flooding happened in this region,” said Brindha.
Kovur farmers object to relocation plan
The villagers of Kovur, a Mudaliyar dominated agricultural village, are set to vote against the DMK government, which plans to plunder their rightful agricultural lands.
Kovur, a quaint village in Sriperembudur that had for long run itself as an agricultural economy, is now getting a new identity as a dump yard for people displaced by the airport extension programme. This rehabilitation comes at a cost. To resettle the displaced, the government is acquiring 56 acres of agricultural lands under cultivation. There are 2000 people who are dependent on these lands for their livelihood.
Chidambaram, an agriculturist who owns 4 acres of land, which has been notified by the government to be acquired, said, “After the government notified the lands the banks have stopped giving agricultural loans. Sixty percent of the people have stopped cultivating the lands. We are buying rice from the shops. What kind of government is this, which takes away what rightfully belongs to the people? We are not going to give up this fight. These are the lands of our ancestors and nobody is going to take it away from us.”
These villagers were served notice in December 2007 and many had stopped cultivating because of a lack of funds from the banks. The lands are lying fallow in spite of there being plenty of water for irrigation. Ganasekaran another villager said, “ the government is creating an artificial famine in our place by creating a situation where we are forced not to cultivate.”
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=DMK+to+face+fire+over+airport+extension+plan&artid=vHLb9k288Hg=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=Sriperumbudur%20constituency
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
AIRPORT RUNWAYS TO BE LINKED
Interlinking To Help Clear Taxiways Faster And Prevent Hold-Up Of Flights In Air
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning three linkways connecting the main and secondary runways and the introduction of more parking bays for efficient handling of aircraft. The works are expected to start in April. The proposed linkways and parking bays are part of the ongoing airport expansion project and will be taken up in three phases over the next four months. Sixty-seven parking bays, between the main and secondary runways, are planned. These are expected to help the airport in better onground and on-air handling of aircraft when cross-runway operations are introduced after the secondary runway is extended across the Adyar river next year.
The three linkways will be connected to the main runway at three places — near the cargo terminal where the secondary runway and the main one intersect, near the delta taxiway, and near the echo taxiway that is almost in the middle of the runway. These linkways have been planned with a dual purpose — faster vacation of runway after landing and to facilitate future cross-runway operations. “The works will start next month at the intersecting point. The linkways will be built in phases so that a large part of the main runway can be used for aircraft movement during daytime.
We have decided to restrict use of the runway between 10 am and 5 pm because people will be working 150 metres away from the centre line of the main runway,” said airport director K Natarajan. He said 2,085 metres of the 3,680-metre main runway would be available for use during the construction of the first two linkways. The main runway will be completely shut between 10 am and 5 pm for two months, probably from May, when work on the third linkway is taken up. “The linkways will help a landing aircraft quickly vacate the runway and leave it open for more landings and takeoffs. This will substantially increase the aircraft-handling capacity of the airport in the long run.
These linkways will also act as angular exit taxiways for aircraft landing on the main runway.” A senior official said the network of linkways would also reduce the separation allotted between each aircraft on-air. “Now, we have to allot 16 to 18 miles. This can be reduced to 10 or even five miles if aircraft are able to vacate the runways immediately.”
IN A NUTSHELL Why:
The project is expected to equip the airport carry out better on-ground and on-air handling of aircraft by quickening the time taken by an aircraft to vacate the runway on landing When:
Works will be taken up from April to July 2009 67 parking bays to come up between primary and secondary runways The network of these three linkways will also act as angular exit taxiways for aircraft landing on the main runway Chennai airport handles close to 400 take-offs and landings everyday, of which approximately 192 are take-offs Passenger traffic: 75,000 per day approximately
LINK TO THE FUTURE
The linkways will reduce the separation between two aircraft in air. Instead of 16 to 18 miles, 10 or even five miles of separation will be adequate The linkways have been planned with a dual purpose — faster vacation of runway after landing and to facilitate future cross-runway operations Four international airlines will have to reschedule their daytime operations till the construction work is on The network of linkways will help crossrunway operations after the secondary runway is extended across the Adyar river next year Domestic airlines to have only short-haul flights during period of construction Operation on main runway to be partlyrestricted in April and completely stopped in May and June between 10 am and 5 pm
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Work on runway across Adyar takes off
Work on runway across Adyar takes off
CHENNAI: The city will by next year have something in common with Atlanta, Brooklyn and Madeira Island -- a runway across a river.
A year from now, aircraft using the secondary runway at Chennai airport will make its run for take-off over a bridge across the Adyar river. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has started construction works to extend the 2,035-metre secondary runway by 1,400 metres, including 835 metres on the northern side of the river. AAI is getting technical assistance from IIT-Madras because the river is flood-prone. Mumbai airport has an end of its runway across the Mithi river, but this stretch is used only for taxing.
The existing runway ends on the banks of the river. A bridge, to be designed similar to that of a box culvert, will be constructed across the river and the runway will extend over it towards the north. Land filling and levelling works that started December-end are progressing well to meet the 2010 deadline. The state government has acquired 120 acres and handed over to AAI for the project. The extension of the secondary runway is being carried out at a cost of Rs 430 crore.
The runway works without the bridge will cost Rs 230 crore, while construction cost of the bridge is estimated to cost Rs 200 crore," said a senior AAI official. KGL Constructions has bagged the contract to build the runway excluding the bridge, while a separate contract will be awarded for the bridge construction. "The tender will be awarded very soon," said airport director K Natarajan.
"The extended secondary runway will help us operate one departure for every arrival, which will be highly useful to manage peak hour traffic. The secondary runway intersects the primary runway only at the end portion near the GST Road side of the airport. This leaves the entire runway free for operation. The runway can also be used as a taxiway when a parallel runway is constructed," he added.
An official at the engineering wing said that the runway construction would be completely mechanised. "It will be laid by using a slip form paver' machine, which does the job 10 times faster than conventional construction methods. The machine is capable of laying 1,500 cubic metre space per day," he added. "We have taken all precautions to prevent water from flooding the runway. AAI had been monitoring the flood levels for the last couple of years. The runway level is going to be atleast one-and-a-half metre above the hightest flood level marked during the 2005 rains."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Work_on_runway_across_Adyar_takes_off/articleshow/4044137.cms
Friday, January 23, 2009
Meeting in EVP Town Site on jan-26th-2009
Dear all,
All EVP Township customers are requested to present in EVP Town Tharapakkam on Jan-26th-2009 around 9.00 A.M.
Need to make our presence in the Tharapakkam gramma panchayat Meeting and sign in the document to show our protest against land acqusition.
Make your presence...............
All EVP Township customers are requested to present in EVP Town Tharapakkam on Jan-26th-2009 around 9.00 A.M.
Need to make our presence in the Tharapakkam gramma panchayat Meeting and sign in the document to show our protest against land acqusition.
Make your presence...............
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Army delays handing over land for expansion
Army delays handing over land for expansion
CHENNAI: The army authorities are delaying the handing over of 20 acres for the expansion of the international departure terminal adjacent to the international departure area of the Chennai airport, according to officials of the Airports Authority of India.
A transmission station of the army is functioning at the place now. Sources in the Airports Authority of India said officials had been in touch with the army for the past 10 years for the transfer of the land.
While taking up the matter with Defence Minister A.K. Antony, the State government explained that the land was crucial for the expansion and for building a flyover, air-conditioning plant and power station.
Following this, the Union Cabinet in July last decided to hand over the land to the AAI on condition that the State government provide an equal value of land to the army; and the AAI bear the entire expense of relocating the army transmitter station, including the tower, to an adjacent land at Pallavaram.
The AAI and the State government agreed to these conditions.
A senior official of the State government said the government had identified 72 acres of its land on East Coast Road near Mahabalipuram. Following the meetings with the Defence Minister, the Ministry issued orders for handing over the land to the AAI, said another AAI official.
several rounds of meeting among the army, the AAI and the State government, the land was yet to the handed over to the AAI.In fact, the AAI had prepared a plan for an alternative site for relocating the transmitter station and submitted it to the army.
While the expansion was in full swing at the domestic terminal, nothing was happening in the international terminal owing to the delay in handing over the land, AAI authorities said.
Officials of the Defence Ministry said the AAI was required to make alternative arrangements for shifting the defence establishment. Then only would the land be handed over to it.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/13/stories/2009011354870500.htm
CHENNAI: The army authorities are delaying the handing over of 20 acres for the expansion of the international departure terminal adjacent to the international departure area of the Chennai airport, according to officials of the Airports Authority of India.
A transmission station of the army is functioning at the place now. Sources in the Airports Authority of India said officials had been in touch with the army for the past 10 years for the transfer of the land.
While taking up the matter with Defence Minister A.K. Antony, the State government explained that the land was crucial for the expansion and for building a flyover, air-conditioning plant and power station.
Following this, the Union Cabinet in July last decided to hand over the land to the AAI on condition that the State government provide an equal value of land to the army; and the AAI bear the entire expense of relocating the army transmitter station, including the tower, to an adjacent land at Pallavaram.
The AAI and the State government agreed to these conditions.
A senior official of the State government said the government had identified 72 acres of its land on East Coast Road near Mahabalipuram. Following the meetings with the Defence Minister, the Ministry issued orders for handing over the land to the AAI, said another AAI official.
several rounds of meeting among the army, the AAI and the State government, the land was yet to the handed over to the AAI.In fact, the AAI had prepared a plan for an alternative site for relocating the transmitter station and submitted it to the army.
While the expansion was in full swing at the domestic terminal, nothing was happening in the international terminal owing to the delay in handing over the land, AAI authorities said.
Officials of the Defence Ministry said the AAI was required to make alternative arrangements for shifting the defence establishment. Then only would the land be handed over to it.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/13/stories/2009011354870500.htm
Pollution assessment norms for builders to be changed
Pollution assessment norms for builders to be changed
New Delhi: The government will soon make key changes in the way companies report the environmental impact of their construction projects.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on Friday that a draft notification on amendments to the Environmental Impact Asssessment Act, 2006, would be put up soon to invite public comments.
Key modifications proposed include making it mandatory for companies to publicize their environmental clearance, exempting projects that employ non-polluting technologies from environmental impact asssessments (EIA), and fast tracking modernization projects in states that have yet to constitute EIA boards.
If modifications take effect, they will significantly impact the way EIAs are conducted and cleared. ‘Mint’ has previously reported instances of companies presenting shoddy reports, often with glaring instances of plagiarism, as environmental clearances.
Government officials say a growing pile of projects needing clearance, as well as understaffed approval committees, are the main reasons that impede thorough and accurate assessments of reports submitted by companies. ‘Mint’ had also reported last year on the likelihood of amendments to the EIA. “As of now, there are 700 industrial projects waiting to be put on the agenda of the clearance committee. It is a welcome move because infrastructure projects need to be put on the fast track,” said K.P. Nyati, head, environment policy division at industry lobby group Confederation of Indian Industry. “...if the project has already been inspected once, then there is no need to re-scrutinize it.”
Environmentalists say compulsory disclosure of EIA is welcome, but are worried about easing laws for project modernization and expansion.
“This is a critical issue,” said Leo Saldanha, coordinator, Environment Support Group, an activist group.
“The Chennai airport is being modernized and expanded, and there is a lot of protest. The expansion will dislocate a lot of people as well as affect a neighbouring river, which would involve a clearance.”
http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/16233453/Pollution-assessment-norms-for.html
New Delhi: The government will soon make key changes in the way companies report the environmental impact of their construction projects.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on Friday that a draft notification on amendments to the Environmental Impact Asssessment Act, 2006, would be put up soon to invite public comments.
Key modifications proposed include making it mandatory for companies to publicize their environmental clearance, exempting projects that employ non-polluting technologies from environmental impact asssessments (EIA), and fast tracking modernization projects in states that have yet to constitute EIA boards.
If modifications take effect, they will significantly impact the way EIAs are conducted and cleared. ‘Mint’ has previously reported instances of companies presenting shoddy reports, often with glaring instances of plagiarism, as environmental clearances.
Government officials say a growing pile of projects needing clearance, as well as understaffed approval committees, are the main reasons that impede thorough and accurate assessments of reports submitted by companies. ‘Mint’ had also reported last year on the likelihood of amendments to the EIA. “As of now, there are 700 industrial projects waiting to be put on the agenda of the clearance committee. It is a welcome move because infrastructure projects need to be put on the fast track,” said K.P. Nyati, head, environment policy division at industry lobby group Confederation of Indian Industry. “...if the project has already been inspected once, then there is no need to re-scrutinize it.”
Environmentalists say compulsory disclosure of EIA is welcome, but are worried about easing laws for project modernization and expansion.
“This is a critical issue,” said Leo Saldanha, coordinator, Environment Support Group, an activist group.
“The Chennai airport is being modernized and expanded, and there is a lot of protest. The expansion will dislocate a lot of people as well as affect a neighbouring river, which would involve a clearance.”
http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/16233453/Pollution-assessment-norms-for.html
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Rope in residents for development: Medha
Rope in residents for development: Medha
We have been residing at Choolaimedu for the past twenty years. We are clueless why the government, which provided us voter cards, ‘ has failed to provide proper sanitation facility. — Poonguldzhi, Choolaimedu ‘ Though the government had promised to allot houses two years ago, we are still waiting.
We are ready to construct hous- es on our own, but the govern- ‘ ment had instructed us not to build any houses. — Sathya, Sudhadhira NagarDemanding amend ments in the Jawaharlal Nehru national urban renewal mission (JNNURM), social activist Medha Patkar announced that she would produce an alternate draft shortly.
Speaking at the conference organised by the ‘Unorganised Workers Federation’ in the city on Friday, she said, “Every city development plan should be drafted after consulting the people. Due to implementation of coastal projects, fishermen are forced to leave their livelihood and move to far off places unfit for their work.” While companies are allowed to select suitable lands in the city, slum dwellers who settle down on the river banks are termed encroachers. Whenever the poor ask for houses closer to their source of livelihood, their demands are brushed aside, she said.
Ms Patkar said the government perhaps did not want the city to have poor and working class people. She wondered why the government was forcing the poor to migrate to sub urbs and providing land to the corporates. Under the guise of development the government is segregating the people and paving the way for a new kind of communalism, she said. Rather providing tax concessions and other benefits to IT companies and chemical hubs, the government should give concessions to the working class people who really needed them, she said.
Taking part in the protest against the Chennai airport expansion project held at Ramapuram, she said, “The acquisition of 137 acres for the airport expansion in the first phase is sufficient for the parallel runway project. The project will affect more than 10,000 families residing in four villages. If the government is really in need of the land, it should provide rehabilitation without compromising the livelihood of the people.”
Medha makes a difference
reporter’s diary - Medha makes a difference
BY K. KARTIKEYAN
CHENNAI
Clad in a wrinkled cotton saree, Medha Patkar found a huge following in the north with her down-toearth demeanour when she founded the Narmada Bachao Andolan. She still managed to charm people in the Dravidian heartland of Chennai where she became the torchbearer for what her critics called as ''anti-development demonstration'' against the Chennai airport expansion project.
The residents, whose homes are threatened by the project, rejoiced over her participation and the visibility it has given to their agita tion against their land being acquired for the airport expansion. But Friday's events are also a stark reminder of the fact that the movements mushrooming here under various banners lack a leader of her stature.
Unmindful of the opponents she has been pitted against so far, the 54-yearold Medha Patkar gradually and successfully evolved into a staunch symbol and opponent of state-sponsored land acquisition by corporate giants who under the pretext of development were depriving people of their rights. Starting from the 20-day marathon hungerstrike that she observed in protest against the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada river in Gujarat and her later intervention in Nandigram and Singur in West Bengal, Ms Patkar has displayed consummate ease in opposing the forced resettlement of the marginalized section, particularly tribes, from their traditional habitats.
Though the stakeholders in Friday’s agitation in Chennai did not appear to be poor, the very idea of displacement or rather resettlement was convincing enough for Ms Patkar to travel down south and be a part of their agitation. It is this mantra - protection of the right to livelihood and proper resettlement - which has attracted people to her cause cutting across economic barriers. This is where other social and rights activists have failed.
There are several activists campaigning against resettlement and land acquisition. But they all lack her perseverance. They are mostly involved in snap hungerstrikes or demonstrations, which the official machinery often ignores. Also these other activists are either pro-rich or pro-poor.
Apparently, they have failed to grasp that resettlement rights are determined not on just economic grounds, a principle which Medha Patkar proved during Friday’s demonstrations.
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2009/01/03/ArticleHtmls/03_01_2009_004_006.shtml?Mode=0
BY K. KARTIKEYAN
CHENNAI
Clad in a wrinkled cotton saree, Medha Patkar found a huge following in the north with her down-toearth demeanour when she founded the Narmada Bachao Andolan. She still managed to charm people in the Dravidian heartland of Chennai where she became the torchbearer for what her critics called as ''anti-development demonstration'' against the Chennai airport expansion project.
The residents, whose homes are threatened by the project, rejoiced over her participation and the visibility it has given to their agita tion against their land being acquired for the airport expansion. But Friday's events are also a stark reminder of the fact that the movements mushrooming here under various banners lack a leader of her stature.
Unmindful of the opponents she has been pitted against so far, the 54-yearold Medha Patkar gradually and successfully evolved into a staunch symbol and opponent of state-sponsored land acquisition by corporate giants who under the pretext of development were depriving people of their rights. Starting from the 20-day marathon hungerstrike that she observed in protest against the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada river in Gujarat and her later intervention in Nandigram and Singur in West Bengal, Ms Patkar has displayed consummate ease in opposing the forced resettlement of the marginalized section, particularly tribes, from their traditional habitats.
Though the stakeholders in Friday’s agitation in Chennai did not appear to be poor, the very idea of displacement or rather resettlement was convincing enough for Ms Patkar to travel down south and be a part of their agitation. It is this mantra - protection of the right to livelihood and proper resettlement - which has attracted people to her cause cutting across economic barriers. This is where other social and rights activists have failed.
There are several activists campaigning against resettlement and land acquisition. But they all lack her perseverance. They are mostly involved in snap hungerstrikes or demonstrations, which the official machinery often ignores. Also these other activists are either pro-rich or pro-poor.
Apparently, they have failed to grasp that resettlement rights are determined not on just economic grounds, a principle which Medha Patkar proved during Friday’s demonstrations.
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2009/01/03/ArticleHtmls/03_01_2009_004_006.shtml?Mode=0
Medha to protest city airport expansion plan
Medha to protest city airport expansion plan
CHENNAI
As the central and state governments have turned a deaf ear to their appeals, residents of Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kovur, Kolapakkam and Tharapakkam have garnered the support of social activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) founder Medha Patkar in their battle against the proposed Chennai airport expansion project for another runway.
Ms Medha Patkar will join thousands of people from these areas who have come under the banner of United People’s Forum for Survival (UPFS) for a demonstration at the Manapakkam-Ramapuram junction on Friday.
“We are hopeful that Medha’s presence will help us meet and explain the prob lem to Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, who has not been accessible for us for a year now,” said Somasekaran, vice-president of UPFS.
Even the Airports Authority of India had expressed disapproval over the plan for the proposed secondary runway, which had not been approved even in principle by the Prime Minister’s Infrastructure Committee, he added.
AAI was content with the expansion of the existing cross runway and future implementation of the greenfield international airport and not the secondary runway, the resi dents claimed. Questioning the need for a secondary runway,
Somasekaran referred to Air Safety Expert retired Captain A Ranganathan's argument that the switch over to satellite based RNP (Required Navigation Performance) was a viable solution instead of the expansion to be carried out at a very high cost and which would lead to these residents losing their homes.
Technological expansion would be sufficient to accommodate 30 million passengers in the future up from the existing 23 million, he argued. The compensation package worth Rs 3,000 crore and the land cost of Rs 1,500 crore could be saved for the Civil Aviation Ministry if the economically and technically unviable secondary runway project was shelved, UPFS secretary Brinda asserted.
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2009/01/02/ArticleHtmls/02_01_2009_004_011.shtml?Mode=0
CHENNAI
As the central and state governments have turned a deaf ear to their appeals, residents of Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kovur, Kolapakkam and Tharapakkam have garnered the support of social activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) founder Medha Patkar in their battle against the proposed Chennai airport expansion project for another runway.
Ms Medha Patkar will join thousands of people from these areas who have come under the banner of United People’s Forum for Survival (UPFS) for a demonstration at the Manapakkam-Ramapuram junction on Friday.
“We are hopeful that Medha’s presence will help us meet and explain the prob lem to Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, who has not been accessible for us for a year now,” said Somasekaran, vice-president of UPFS.
Even the Airports Authority of India had expressed disapproval over the plan for the proposed secondary runway, which had not been approved even in principle by the Prime Minister’s Infrastructure Committee, he added.
AAI was content with the expansion of the existing cross runway and future implementation of the greenfield international airport and not the secondary runway, the resi dents claimed. Questioning the need for a secondary runway,
Somasekaran referred to Air Safety Expert retired Captain A Ranganathan's argument that the switch over to satellite based RNP (Required Navigation Performance) was a viable solution instead of the expansion to be carried out at a very high cost and which would lead to these residents losing their homes.
Technological expansion would be sufficient to accommodate 30 million passengers in the future up from the existing 23 million, he argued. The compensation package worth Rs 3,000 crore and the land cost of Rs 1,500 crore could be saved for the Civil Aviation Ministry if the economically and technically unviable secondary runway project was shelved, UPFS secretary Brinda asserted.
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2009/01/02/ArticleHtmls/02_01_2009_004_011.shtml?Mode=0
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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