Tuesday, August 30, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: Panel formed to clear applications for erecting ho...
writingonblog uncensored: Panel formed to clear applications for erecting ho...: Chennai, Aug 29: A Single Window Clearance system has been formed after deliberations between Chennai Corporation and district co...
Panel formed to clear applications for erecting hoardings in Chennai Corporation
Chennai,
A Single Window Clearance
This was informed to the
The judges were hearing a
It was submitted to the court
The committee will consist of
The committee will be
Assistant commissioner of
Tahsildar and the executive
The committee will recommend
“We also agree that this
writingonblog uncensored: HC asks TN to fix responsibility on officials for ...
writingonblog uncensored: HC asks TN to fix responsibility on officials for ...: Chennai, Aug 29: Madras High Court has asked the state revenue department to file a status report on fixing responsibility on officials and...
HC asks TN to fix responsibility on officials for giving pattas to those encroaching water bodies
Chennai, Aug 29:
Madras High Court has asked the state revenue department to file a status report on fixing responsibility on officials and initiate action against them for issuing pattas for encroachment on 105 water bodies in Salem district.
After perusing the status report filed by Salem district collector V Sampath, the first Bench comprising of Justice S K Kaul and R Mahadevan said the report by the district collector has brought forth succinctly the enormity of the mess already created by issuance of pattas by authorities who were not eligible to do so.
Pattas were being issued for water body areas which is impermissible and allottees have been violating the terms and conditions of allotment and allotting the area for residential plots with sale to third parties. It, however, appears that the authorities have finally woken up to the issue and have now issued notices, the judges observed..
The judges observation came after the Salem District Collector while submitting the status report apologised for not seeking extension of time from the court over conducting survey of 105 water bodies in one month. “I apologise for not implementing the orders of Madras High court which is neither willful nor wanton but due to administrative reasons,” the collector stated. He agreed that pattas was issued to individuals under various circumstances including TN Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act XXVI of 1948.
The judges accepted the apology from the collector and stated that there are 105 water bodies under the control of the Public works Department in Salem district and a committee has now been constituted to prevent encroachments and preserve the water bodies.
“We direct that any litigation arising from these notices by filing writ petitions would be listed before this bench alone. Further status report has to be filed within six weeks,” the judges stated.
“We are of the view that there has been gross negligence and collusion in such widespread violations and it is necessary for the department to look into the issue administratively to fix responsibility and initiate action against the officers concerned. A separate status report regarding this aspect be also filed within the same time, “ the judges said while listing the case on October 24.
Madras High Court has asked the state revenue department to file a status report on fixing responsibility on officials and initiate action against them for issuing pattas for encroachment on 105 water bodies in Salem district.
After perusing the status report filed by Salem district collector V Sampath, the first Bench comprising of Justice S K Kaul and R Mahadevan said the report by the district collector has brought forth succinctly the enormity of the mess already created by issuance of pattas by authorities who were not eligible to do so.
Pattas were being issued for water body areas which is impermissible and allottees have been violating the terms and conditions of allotment and allotting the area for residential plots with sale to third parties. It, however, appears that the authorities have finally woken up to the issue and have now issued notices, the judges observed..
The judges observation came after the Salem District Collector while submitting the status report apologised for not seeking extension of time from the court over conducting survey of 105 water bodies in one month. “I apologise for not implementing the orders of Madras High court which is neither willful nor wanton but due to administrative reasons,” the collector stated. He agreed that pattas was issued to individuals under various circumstances including TN Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act XXVI of 1948.
The judges accepted the apology from the collector and stated that there are 105 water bodies under the control of the Public works Department in Salem district and a committee has now been constituted to prevent encroachments and preserve the water bodies.
“We direct that any litigation arising from these notices by filing writ petitions would be listed before this bench alone. Further status report has to be filed within six weeks,” the judges stated.
“We are of the view that there has been gross negligence and collusion in such widespread violations and it is necessary for the department to look into the issue administratively to fix responsibility and initiate action against the officers concerned. A separate status report regarding this aspect be also filed within the same time, “ the judges said while listing the case on October 24.
writingonblog uncensored: Former HC judge to conduct Chennai Press Club elec...
writingonblog uncensored: Former HC judge to conduct Chennai Press Club elec...: Chennai, Aug 28: After nearly 25 years, Chennai Press Club is set to elect its new office-bearers that too in the next three months follow...
Former HC judge to conduct Chennai Press Club elections in next three months
Chennai, Aug 28:
After nearly 25 years, Chennai Press Club is set to elect its new office-bearers that too in the next three months following Madras High Court order which has appointed former high court judge K Chandru as election officer for conduct of polls.
Upholding the order of IV assistant Judge, city Civil Court which has sought a decree for mandatory injunction to conduct election as per bye-laws by appointing the commissioner or committee of commissioners appointed by the court, Madras High Court judge M M Sundresh also appointed advocate Balan Haridas to assist Justice Chandru in all his functions.
The judge passed the direction on petitions moved by three journalists to appoint a commissioner comprising of a retired judge of a High court to take over and manage the affairs of Chennai Press Club and scrutinise the membership by eliminating the bogus members.
Charting out the role of election officer, Justice M M Sundaresh said that members inducted in the press club after March 7, 2011 will have to be approved by Election Officer, who is required to take into consideration the rejected applications from March 7, 2011 onwards. He will take decision for approval as per bye laws and only such members shall become primary members.
The judge also stated that the election officer will peruse applications for approval of membership both already approved and rejected between Mar 7, 2011 and August 19, 2016 and publish the voters list thereafter.
Giving a deadline of three months to Chandru, the court said that the office-bearers can conduct the day-to-day management of Chennai Press club subject to condition that they should extend all cooperation to election officer.
Chennai Press club has also been directed to pay a sum of Rs one lakh as initial remuneration for election officer within a period of two weeks. Thereafter, a further sum of rs 1 lakh shall be paid to the election officer after the conclusion of election. The advocate assisting the election officer has to be paid Rs 50,000.
After nearly 25 years, Chennai Press Club is set to elect its new office-bearers that too in the next three months following Madras High Court order which has appointed former high court judge K Chandru as election officer for conduct of polls.
Upholding the order of IV assistant Judge, city Civil Court which has sought a decree for mandatory injunction to conduct election as per bye-laws by appointing the commissioner or committee of commissioners appointed by the court, Madras High Court judge M M Sundresh also appointed advocate Balan Haridas to assist Justice Chandru in all his functions.
The judge passed the direction on petitions moved by three journalists to appoint a commissioner comprising of a retired judge of a High court to take over and manage the affairs of Chennai Press Club and scrutinise the membership by eliminating the bogus members.
Charting out the role of election officer, Justice M M Sundaresh said that members inducted in the press club after March 7, 2011 will have to be approved by Election Officer, who is required to take into consideration the rejected applications from March 7, 2011 onwards. He will take decision for approval as per bye laws and only such members shall become primary members.
The judge also stated that the election officer will peruse applications for approval of membership both already approved and rejected between Mar 7, 2011 and August 19, 2016 and publish the voters list thereafter.
Giving a deadline of three months to Chandru, the court said that the office-bearers can conduct the day-to-day management of Chennai Press club subject to condition that they should extend all cooperation to election officer.
Chennai Press club has also been directed to pay a sum of Rs one lakh as initial remuneration for election officer within a period of two weeks. Thereafter, a further sum of rs 1 lakh shall be paid to the election officer after the conclusion of election. The advocate assisting the election officer has to be paid Rs 50,000.
writingonblog uncensored: Arrest 32 persons involved in Marakannam violence ...
writingonblog uncensored: Arrest 32 persons involved in Marakannam violence ...: Chennai: Expressing its displeasure over the police’s inability to arrest the accused involved in the attack of two Dalit settlements i...
Monday, August 29, 2016
Arrest 32 persons involved in Marakannam violence and file status report, says Madras HC
Chennai:
Expressing its displeasure over the police’s inability to arrest the accused involved in the attack of two Dalit settlements in Marakkanam even two years after the chargesheet was filed, the first bench of the Madras High Court directed officials to arrest the 32 accused persons.
It also asked the Tindivanam judicial magistrate to file a status report in this regard before the court by December 2.
The Dalit settlements, Kattayan Theru and Kazhikuppam in Marakannam, came under attack from a group of PMK cadre who were en route to attend a party meeting on April 25, 2013.
After hearing a petition filed by an advocate D Ashok Kumar, the first bench comprising of Justice S K Kaul and R Mahadevan said that while the chargesheet was filed on June 30,2014, the case is still at the initial stage, as the non-bailable warrants have not been executed against 32 persons.
“It is unacceptable that now it is being pleaded that police is unable to arrest the accused. We call upon the police to take appropriate steps to arrest the accused and the Judicial Magistrate Tindivanam who has taken the case on file to send a status report to this Court,” the judges said.
The court said the relief is grossly inadequate and not in compliance with the provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules 1995, and added that some of the victims of the violence would have lost more than others.
“We are thus of the view that in so far as the larger claims are concerned, the matter be looked into if those claimants are unable to produce the documents to substantiate higher amount of loss,” the bench said.
The next hearing is slated for December 2.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
CMDA seals three buildings in George Town
Chennai:
Chennai Metropolitan
The buildings are among the
CMDA officials refused to
Interestingly, Madras High
The appeal provisions are
CMDA has till now surveyed
Friday, August 26, 2016
Honeywell's SmartRunway gets approval for use on Boeing 737 Next Gen airliner
Mumbai: Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding system has received industry approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency for use on the Boeing 737 Next Generation airliner, the first aircraft approved to operate this technology in Europe.
A key benefit to airlines who use the SmartRunway and SmartLanding system is its ease of install via flight-deck modifications and an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System upgrade. This upgrade is now eligible for funding from Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), which enables operators to receive grants toward the cost of implementing the system on their fleets.
“Reducing the occurrence of runway-related incidents and accidents is the industry’s greatest safety challenge today,” said Mike Beazley, vice president, Global Sales, Honeywell Aerospace. “Our SmartRunway and SmartLanding system addresses global safety concerns on runways by offering customers greater protection against multiple runway incursion and excursion risks during taxiing, takeoff and landing.”
Runway excursions are the most frequent types of accidents in the aviation industry, with an average of one airline incident per day. In addition, runway safety is the No. 1 priority for global aviation safety experts, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Pilots look to cockpit technologies such as Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding system to improve situational awareness and identify potential safety risks during takeoff and landing. The system advises and warns flight crews of potentially unsafe conditions, so they can mitigate accidents such as runway overturns, veer-offs or use of incorrect runways. Airlines may also benefit from lower insurance premiums by proactively reducing their risks of runway accidents.
Honeywell's earlier technology, Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) — a safety solution that improves runway situational awareness for pilots — has also been identified by SESAR as a key technology in reducing the potential for runway incursions and excursions. As a result European airlines will be able to take advantage of grants when acquiring and installing RAAS.
A key benefit to airlines who use the SmartRunway and SmartLanding system is its ease of install via flight-deck modifications and an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System upgrade. This upgrade is now eligible for funding from Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), which enables operators to receive grants toward the cost of implementing the system on their fleets.
“Reducing the occurrence of runway-related incidents and accidents is the industry’s greatest safety challenge today,” said Mike Beazley, vice president, Global Sales, Honeywell Aerospace. “Our SmartRunway and SmartLanding system addresses global safety concerns on runways by offering customers greater protection against multiple runway incursion and excursion risks during taxiing, takeoff and landing.”
Runway excursions are the most frequent types of accidents in the aviation industry, with an average of one airline incident per day. In addition, runway safety is the No. 1 priority for global aviation safety experts, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Pilots look to cockpit technologies such as Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding system to improve situational awareness and identify potential safety risks during takeoff and landing. The system advises and warns flight crews of potentially unsafe conditions, so they can mitigate accidents such as runway overturns, veer-offs or use of incorrect runways. Airlines may also benefit from lower insurance premiums by proactively reducing their risks of runway accidents.
Honeywell's earlier technology, Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) — a safety solution that improves runway situational awareness for pilots — has also been identified by SESAR as a key technology in reducing the potential for runway incursions and excursions. As a result European airlines will be able to take advantage of grants when acquiring and installing RAAS.
TN seeks Rs 400 cr aid from JICA to build 4,613 tenements in four cities
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu government will be seeking Rs 400 crore aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to reconstruct 4,613 tenements adopting higher floor space index in Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
Sources said that the project will focus on insitu development and slum families living in hutments nearby will be accommodated in the newly reconstructed homes. The idea is to seek funds from JICA under Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme Phase-2 programme and orders are awaited from the government, said sources.
It is learnt that the slum clearance board has identified a total of 3,663 tenements in Chennai and other towns which are in dilapidated condition and require immediate reconstruction. “The idea is to demolish the 3,663 tenements and reconstruct 4,613 tenements adopting higher FSI in Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam at a total cost of Rs 432.40 crore.
Additional tenements are also proposed to be allotted to slum families living in hutments nearby. Sources said the move to demolish the tenements, which were constructed 25 to 30 years ago, came as they have become dilapidated due to carbonation of concrete, lack of periodic maintenance and the corrossion of steel reinforcement embedded in the concrete.
In Chennai, a total of 2,240 tenements located in Kothavalchavadi, Vazhai Thoppu, Subbu Pillai Thottam, Appavoo Nagar, Mambalam Tank Bund, Wallace Garden, Jogi Thottam and Periyar Nagar will be demolished and reconstructed. Similarly, a total of 972 tenements in fishermen Colony and Vyasarpadi TT Block would be demolished and a total of 1,922 tenements would be built in these areas
Similarly in Trichy, 128 tenements in Kalmandai, Thanjavur (199 tenements in North Rohini Colony) and Kumbakonam (114 tenements in Old Fish Market colony) would be built.
It is learnt that during the reconstruction of the houses, the families living in the dilapidated homes will be temporarily resettled in transit camps and will be disbursed Rs 8,000 as rental allowance.
Factfile:
Project cost: Rs 432.40 cr
JICA: Rs 400 crore
Beneficiary share (7.5pc of project coast: Rs 32.40 crore
Cities covered: Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur and Kumbakonnam
Total tenements to be demolished: 3,663
Total numbers of tenements to be reconstructed: 4,613
Tamil Nadu government to spend Rs 65,000 crore to make cities and towns slum free before 2023.
As per census 2011, a total of 14.63 lakh families are living in urban slums.
TN plans to invest Rs 25,000 crore in slum free city programme in Chennai and agglomeration areas
Monday, August 22, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: Stable real estate prices may woo buyers believe C...
writingonblog uncensored: Stable real estate prices may woo buyers believe C...: Chennai: The new launches of real estate projects may have come down in the city during the last one year but the prices have rema...
Stable real estate prices may woo buyers believe Chennai real estate developers
Chennai:
The new launches of real
Speaking to Express A S
He says projects like new bus
The PropFair organized for
writingonblog uncensored: One month on, no clue of missing IAF aircraft
writingonblog uncensored: One month on, no clue of missing IAF aircraft: Chennai: Nearly a month has passed but there is no clue of Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft that went missing with 29 crew on July 2...
One month on, no clue of missing IAF aircraft
Chennai:
Nearly a month has passed but there is no clue of Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft that went missing with 29 crew on July 22 as India launched one of the massive surface and under water search.
While the hope is now fully on the two research vessels Geological Survey of India’s Samudra Ratnakar and National Institute of Ocean Technology vessel Sagarnidhi which are conducting underwater search using multi-beam echo sounder,a type of sonar which is used to map the sea bed, it is learnt the vessels have yet to locate the debris on the sea floor.
Sources in GSI said that they have surveyed 14,400 square kilometres and found 14 linear objects. But it is yet to be ascertained whether they belong to missing aircraft. It is learnt that GSI will conducting a survey again of the same stretch.
GSI scientists are focussing more on the back scattered data study employing echo-sounding systems towards the interpretation of seafloor. Scientists believe since they have already surveyed the area the back scattered data would reflect any variation on the floor of the sea.
Similarly, NIOT vessel Sagarnidhi has also found objects under the sea but then defence sources said it has to be ascertained whether it belongs to the missing aircraft. Currently, Sagarnidhi has surveyed 5,500 to 6,000 square kilometres of the ocean floor.
Defence sources said that vessels conducting surface search has been reduced. “We are equally worried over the delay in finding the aircraft as we have to answer to the families,” said sources.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
ED attaches properties worth Rs 10.7 cr belonging to Dindigul based firm
Chennai:
The Enforcement Directorate
The investigation by ED was
The funds were invested in
Srinivasan admitted the fraud
Accordingly the said
writingonblog uncensored: BSNL employee sentenced to two years rigorous impr...
writingonblog uncensored: BSNL employee sentenced to two years rigorous impr...: Chennai: A sub divisional engineer of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment in a disproport...
BSNL employee sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case
Chennai:
The anti corruption branch of
A sub divisional engineer of
The judge on Thursday
CBI sources said that
Thursday, August 18, 2016
IIT-Madras ties up with Tata Steel to decode mysteries of Graphene
Chennai:
IIT Madras Research Park could soon help design flexible smart devices using which can be worn or experimented using Graphene, the thinnest, lightest, most transparent and heat and electricity conductive material known to scientists.
Addressing reporters after Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to set up Tata Steel Advanced Materials Research centre (TSAMRC) here on Tuesday, Bhaskar Ramamurthi, IIT Madras director and Dr Gopichand Katragadda, group chief technology officer Tata Sons said that Centre would focus on developing green energy and light weight technologies using graphene.
IIT research park and Tata Steel researchers will innovate and come up with graphene applications and products which will be introduced in the market.
The Centre, to come up at Phase II of research park which is nearing completion, is being set up at a cost of Rs 35 to rs 40 crore as per the long term agreement. The numbers can go up as it depends on how much value we can create, said Ramamurthi.
Interestingly, Graphene can also make the cellphones thin as piece of paper, which is unbreakable when folded into the pocket. It could also play an important role in making current lithium-ion batteries last longer
IIT Madras Research Park could soon help design flexible smart devices using which can be worn or experimented using Graphene, the thinnest, lightest, most transparent and heat and electricity conductive material known to scientists.
Addressing reporters after Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to set up Tata Steel Advanced Materials Research centre (TSAMRC) here on Tuesday, Bhaskar Ramamurthi, IIT Madras director and Dr Gopichand Katragadda, group chief technology officer Tata Sons said that Centre would focus on developing green energy and light weight technologies using graphene.
IIT research park and Tata Steel researchers will innovate and come up with graphene applications and products which will be introduced in the market.
The Centre, to come up at Phase II of research park which is nearing completion, is being set up at a cost of Rs 35 to rs 40 crore as per the long term agreement. The numbers can go up as it depends on how much value we can create, said Ramamurthi.
Interestingly, Graphene can also make the cellphones thin as piece of paper, which is unbreakable when folded into the pocket. It could also play an important role in making current lithium-ion batteries last longer
writingonblog uncensored: 6.5kg of sea horses seized at Chennai Internationa...
writingonblog uncensored: 6.5kg of sea horses seized at Chennai Internationa...: Chennai: Customs officials foiled a bid to smuggle nearly 6.5 kg worth of sea horses from city airport to Singapore on Wednesday. Sources ...
6.5kg of sea horses seized at Chennai International Airport
Chennai:
Customs officials foiled a bid to smuggle nearly 6.5 kg worth of sea horses from city airport to Singapore on Wednesday.
Sources said that the sea horses, an endangered species protected under Schedule I of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, were to be smuggled through a Jet Airways flight to Singapore around 2.15am by one Shamsuddin.
However, the Air Intelligence Unit apprehended him and recovered the sea horses which is shipped illegally to East Asian nations. Sources said that sea horses are in huge demand for their medicinal values in China, Japan and Malaysia. They are also smuggled to the Arabian countries.
The Wildlife inspector of Wild Life Crime Control Bureau said that Shamsuddin was apprehended by Air Intelligence Unit, he was handed over to the Bureau. The offence is a non-bailable one and the magistrate has denied Shamsuddin bail. ‘We are remanding him to custody in Puzhal Jail,” the inspector said.. This is the first such air consignment of sea horses which was seized this year, she added.
Seahorses are mainly found in Nagapattinam and Gulf of Mannar where there is a rich presence of coral reef and mangroves
Customs officials foiled a bid to smuggle nearly 6.5 kg worth of sea horses from city airport to Singapore on Wednesday.
Sources said that the sea horses, an endangered species protected under Schedule I of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, were to be smuggled through a Jet Airways flight to Singapore around 2.15am by one Shamsuddin.
However, the Air Intelligence Unit apprehended him and recovered the sea horses which is shipped illegally to East Asian nations. Sources said that sea horses are in huge demand for their medicinal values in China, Japan and Malaysia. They are also smuggled to the Arabian countries.
The Wildlife inspector of Wild Life Crime Control Bureau said that Shamsuddin was apprehended by Air Intelligence Unit, he was handed over to the Bureau. The offence is a non-bailable one and the magistrate has denied Shamsuddin bail. ‘We are remanding him to custody in Puzhal Jail,” the inspector said.. This is the first such air consignment of sea horses which was seized this year, she added.
Seahorses are mainly found in Nagapattinam and Gulf of Mannar where there is a rich presence of coral reef and mangroves
Bid to smuggle gold worth Rs 1.25 cr foiled
A bid to smuggle gold worth
Working on a tip off that a
DRI sources said that
Currency seized: DRI
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: IIT awaiting TN nod to set up Centre for Excellenc...
writingonblog uncensored: IIT awaiting TN nod to set up Centre for Excellenc...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, is awaiting state government’s nod to set up Centre for Urbanisati...
IIT awaiting TN nod to set up Centre for Excellence
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Indian Institute of
Ramammurthi told Express that
The Centre for Urbanisation,
The focus of CUBE will be on
“The focus would be on
Meanwhile IIT will also be
Centre provides Rs 67.69 cr drinking water scheme for TN districts suffering from Japanese Encephalitis
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
In a bid to control Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, the Union government is making provisions to provide drinking water supply to 75,000 slum households in Madurai and Thanjavur.
Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease. it belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses. It is usually transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species (mainly Culex tritaeniorhynchus). The virus exists in a transmission cycle between mosquitoes, pigs or water birds. The disease is predominantly found in rural and periurban settings, where humans live in closer proximity to pigs and water birds.
The two districts of Tamil Nadu are part of the 43 districts from five states where the scheme is being implemented over a period of five years. Besides Tamil Nadu, the four states include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
Union government sources told Express that the scheme would cater to 4.80 lakh slum households in 66 municipalities in 43 districts across the country and would cost the exchequer Rs 418 crore.
The project cost, which also includes establishment of operation and maintenance cost for five years, will be shared between Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25 in respect of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and west Bengal. In case of Assam, the ratio is 90:10.
Sources said that a total of 77,278 slum households would benefit under the scheme in the two districts. The scheme would cost a total of Rs 67.69 crore of which the share of Centre would be Rs 50.76 crore while that of state would be Rs 16.92 crore.
Factfile:
Sates Districts No of municipalities
Assam 9 23
Bihar 15 15
Tamil Nadu 2 2
Uttar Pradesh 10 17
West Bengal 7 9
Total 43 66
Friday, August 12, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: TN likely to notify guidelines to regularise illeg...
writingonblog uncensored: TN likely to notify guidelines to regularise illeg...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Tamil Nadu government is likely to notify the draft guidelines under Section 113-C of Town and Country Planning Act...
TN likely to notify guidelines to regularise illegal buildings built before 2007 in three months
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu government is likely to notify the draft guidelines under Section 113-C of Town and Country Planning Act of 1971 to regularise illegal buildings built before July 2007 within the next three months.
This comes after Madras High Court gave three month deadline to notify the rules after hearing a petition filed by monitoring committee member M G Devsahayam.
Hitting out at the government for holding consultative meeting on July 8, the Madras High Court Chief Justice S K Kaul had observed that the consultative process is over once rules and guidelines are framed. Kaul’s observations also come as during the July 8 meeting headed by chief secretary there were plans to do away with some provisions of the draft guidelines which the officials believed are too generic.
Initially, the state government was to notify the rules and guidelines of Section 113-C of Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, within four weeks from the order passed by Madras High Court on March 3, 2016. However, due to assembly elections and then the bureaucracy reshuffle in June, the High Court order was not complied with.
Interestingly, Monitoring Committee’s role was defined again by Madras High Court which stated that the committee will be consulted to finalise rules and guidelines. The state government will now have to provide sufficient staff and infrastructure besides providing all files pertaining to illegal construction before the monitoring committee within three months.
Interestingly, the state government has called for a emergency meeting on Wednesday to finalise draft rules and guidelines under Section 113-C of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act The Chief Planner of Master Plan Unit and assistant director of Directorate of Town and country Planning will finalise the draft rules during the meeting. Interestingly, the draft rules are planned when DTCP does not have to three layers of senior officials and similarly CMDA also does not have a member secretary and a vice-chairman with housing secretary officiating as DTCP director, member secretary, vice chairman as well as the final authority in deciding the drat rule.
Box:
Public to be notified on buildings that are not fire complaint
Chennai:
Buildings in the city which are not fire compliant will soon have to sport a board making the public aware of the risk involved with the building.
Madras High Court has asked the CMDA to scrutinise such buildings and make the public aware about those building which are unsafe “Immediate scrutinisation must begin and buildings which are not fire compliant should be notified by CMDA,” observed Madras High court.
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu government is likely to notify the draft guidelines under Section 113-C of Town and Country Planning Act of 1971 to regularise illegal buildings built before July 2007 within the next three months.
This comes after Madras High Court gave three month deadline to notify the rules after hearing a petition filed by monitoring committee member M G Devsahayam.
Hitting out at the government for holding consultative meeting on July 8, the Madras High Court Chief Justice S K Kaul had observed that the consultative process is over once rules and guidelines are framed. Kaul’s observations also come as during the July 8 meeting headed by chief secretary there were plans to do away with some provisions of the draft guidelines which the officials believed are too generic.
Initially, the state government was to notify the rules and guidelines of Section 113-C of Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, within four weeks from the order passed by Madras High Court on March 3, 2016. However, due to assembly elections and then the bureaucracy reshuffle in June, the High Court order was not complied with.
Interestingly, Monitoring Committee’s role was defined again by Madras High Court which stated that the committee will be consulted to finalise rules and guidelines. The state government will now have to provide sufficient staff and infrastructure besides providing all files pertaining to illegal construction before the monitoring committee within three months.
Interestingly, the state government has called for a emergency meeting on Wednesday to finalise draft rules and guidelines under Section 113-C of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act The Chief Planner of Master Plan Unit and assistant director of Directorate of Town and country Planning will finalise the draft rules during the meeting. Interestingly, the draft rules are planned when DTCP does not have to three layers of senior officials and similarly CMDA also does not have a member secretary and a vice-chairman with housing secretary officiating as DTCP director, member secretary, vice chairman as well as the final authority in deciding the drat rule.
Box:
Public to be notified on buildings that are not fire complaint
Chennai:
Buildings in the city which are not fire compliant will soon have to sport a board making the public aware of the risk involved with the building.
Madras High Court has asked the CMDA to scrutinise such buildings and make the public aware about those building which are unsafe “Immediate scrutinisation must begin and buildings which are not fire compliant should be notified by CMDA,” observed Madras High court.
writingonblog uncensored: Russia defends delay in commissioning of Koodankul...
writingonblog uncensored: Russia defends delay in commissioning of Koodankul...: Chennai: Russia has defended the delay in commissioning of the first and second units of Koodankulam and said that the construction of ligh...
Russia defends delay in commissioning of Koodankulam nuke plant
Chennai:
Russia has defended the delay in commissioning of the first and second units of Koodankulam and said that the construction of light water reactors VVER-1000 reactors was adopted in India for the first time and the construction time was estimated in accordance with a typical project construction time in Russia
Head of the projects of ASE Group of Companies, the Engineering and Construction Division of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) in India Vladimir Angelov said that the VVER-1000 reactors has been adopted in India for the first time and the commissioning of the units took longer than it was planned according to the initial mobilization schedule.
“It is natural because initially the NPP construction time was estimated in accordance with a typical project construction time in Russia. Specifics of working in India rather amended the time,” he said.
Interestingly, first concrete for unit 1 was poured in March 2002, with that for unit 2 following in four months later. The units were originally scheduled to begin commercial operation in December 2007 and December 2008 respectively.
Angelov said that works have been postponed due to a necessity of gaining experience of joint work of Indian staff with Russian specialist.
On the issue of safety of Koodankulam nuclear plant, Angelov says that the nuclear power plant is the first in the world where the post-Fukushima safety enhancement requirements have already been implemented and being operated successfully. “We analysed the basic technical design of Units 1 and 2 in terms of the lessons from Fukushima. We came to the conclusion that they would have withstood the Fukushima-like incident. However, we are enforcing even stricter requirement,” he added.
Interestingly, India and Russia reviewed the possibility of enhancing certain parameters as a result, the Units 3 and 4 are designed for even higher seismic, climatic and technical impact.
The reactor is protected from the impact of earthquake, tsunami, tornado and hurricanes. According to the justified calculations Kudankulam NPP can withstand any anticipated operational occurrences, even it can withstand fall of aircraft. Therefore, we can firmly state that presently India possesses the safest NPP in the world, said Angelov.
Interestingly, the commissioning of the Unit I in Koodankulam paves the way for Russia to build 12 more nuclear reactors in India. This could also mean that Russia would help localisation of production of fuel in India.
“If all current plans and restrictions for Russian units in India will be respected, we hope that in the next 10 years the first components produced in India will be used in the fuel for Indian nuclear power plants. This should be preceded by huge work and adaptation of legislation and personnel training. The first steps in this direction have already been made,” says Oleg Grigoriev, vice-president of JSC TVEL, which is a also subsidiary of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM).
“In our experience, nuclear fuel production localization may require no more than three years from the date of formalization of the agreements in the documents. Much will depend on regional specificity and peculiarities,” he added
Russia has defended the delay in commissioning of the first and second units of Koodankulam and said that the construction of light water reactors VVER-1000 reactors was adopted in India for the first time and the construction time was estimated in accordance with a typical project construction time in Russia
Head of the projects of ASE Group of Companies, the Engineering and Construction Division of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) in India Vladimir Angelov said that the VVER-1000 reactors has been adopted in India for the first time and the commissioning of the units took longer than it was planned according to the initial mobilization schedule.
“It is natural because initially the NPP construction time was estimated in accordance with a typical project construction time in Russia. Specifics of working in India rather amended the time,” he said.
Interestingly, first concrete for unit 1 was poured in March 2002, with that for unit 2 following in four months later. The units were originally scheduled to begin commercial operation in December 2007 and December 2008 respectively.
Angelov said that works have been postponed due to a necessity of gaining experience of joint work of Indian staff with Russian specialist.
On the issue of safety of Koodankulam nuclear plant, Angelov says that the nuclear power plant is the first in the world where the post-Fukushima safety enhancement requirements have already been implemented and being operated successfully. “We analysed the basic technical design of Units 1 and 2 in terms of the lessons from Fukushima. We came to the conclusion that they would have withstood the Fukushima-like incident. However, we are enforcing even stricter requirement,” he added.
Interestingly, India and Russia reviewed the possibility of enhancing certain parameters as a result, the Units 3 and 4 are designed for even higher seismic, climatic and technical impact.
The reactor is protected from the impact of earthquake, tsunami, tornado and hurricanes. According to the justified calculations Kudankulam NPP can withstand any anticipated operational occurrences, even it can withstand fall of aircraft. Therefore, we can firmly state that presently India possesses the safest NPP in the world, said Angelov.
Interestingly, the commissioning of the Unit I in Koodankulam paves the way for Russia to build 12 more nuclear reactors in India. This could also mean that Russia would help localisation of production of fuel in India.
“If all current plans and restrictions for Russian units in India will be respected, we hope that in the next 10 years the first components produced in India will be used in the fuel for Indian nuclear power plants. This should be preceded by huge work and adaptation of legislation and personnel training. The first steps in this direction have already been made,” says Oleg Grigoriev, vice-president of JSC TVEL, which is a also subsidiary of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM).
“In our experience, nuclear fuel production localization may require no more than three years from the date of formalization of the agreements in the documents. Much will depend on regional specificity and peculiarities,” he added
Plan to commercialise space over MRTS stations only on paper
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The huge blocks of MRTS
Initially, a blueprint was
It is learnt that there was a
Sources reveal that the
The government of Tamil Nadu
A couple of years ago, there
Sources then said that once
The failure to commercialise
Sources say the state has
MRTS FACTS
Operational cost per day (
Revenue generated: Around Rs
Potential Capacity: 425,000
Daily Ridership: 76,800
First MRTS route operated
Extended to Thirumyilai
MRTS services extended from
MRTS extended from
Extension from Velachery to
Proposed Development of
Name of stations Number
1. Mandaveli One to
2. Greenways Road 1 to 4
3. Kottur
4. Kasturba nagar 1 to 4
5. Indira nagar 1 to
6. Thiruvanmiyur 1 to 4
7. Taramani-1 2 to 5
8. Taramani-II Ground
9. Velachery 1 to
Total 1,Monday, August 8, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: Missing aircraft Search area has already been mapp...
writingonblog uncensored: Missing aircraft Search area has already been mapp...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The area where the search and rescue operations are being carried out to locate Indian Air Force’s transport aircra...
Missing aircraft Search area has already been mapped by GSI 20 years ago, says top scientist
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The area where the search and rescue operations are being carried out to locate Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft that went missing with 29 crew on July 22 is not a new terrain for Geological Survey of India scientists as it has been mapped 20 years ago by research institute.
Speaking to Express onboard Samudra Ratnakar, the premier research vessel of Geological Survey of India, chief scientist G Nagendra, who is heading the team of nine scientists to help locate the missing aircraft, said that the area which falls under Economic Exclusive Zone has been mapped in 1990.
“We have been given a search area of 16,000 square kilometres and the operation will take 30 days. It is a familiar territory for us,” said Nagendra, who is based in Chennai.
Since the data of the area is available with GSI, all they have to do is use the multi-beam echo sounder,a type of sonar which is used to map the sea bed. However, the scientists would be focussing more on the back scattered data study employing echo-sounding systems towards the interpretation of seafloor.
“Since we have already surveyed the area the back sacttered data would reflect any variation on the floor of the sea, like the presence of parts of aircraft,” said the top scientist.
He said they would be surveying at a depth of 3,200 to 3,400 metres. “During the search operation, the ship will be going at a speed of 10kmph and if need permits we could also use the Remotely Operable underwater vehicle, which can go to a depth of 2,200 metres,” said Nagendra.
He said that the pressure underwater is such that there is a chance that the aircraft, made of aluminium, could even shrink at such a depth. To a query whether the ship would use side scan sonar, a portable instrument which could give better results if it is towed properly at a depth of 2,500 metres, Nagendran said that his team would try it but the issue is towing it at such a depth. “We will be trying it at the start of the operation,” he said.
Interestingly, the ship also has magnetometer, which could emit signals once it reaches the spot where the aircraft is submerged. But since there has been some issues with the device, the scientists are relying on multi-beam echo sounder. However, the success of the search would also depend on the weather. For the last two days, the sea has been rough, said Nagendran. The ship is likely to leave Chennai Port on Sunday or Monday morning.
Factfile:
1.Geological survey of India’s ship Samudra Ratnakar will be surveying 16,000 square km area
2.They area, which falls under Exclusive Economic Zone, has been mapped by GSI scientists 20 years ago
3.The ship will use back scattered data study employing echo-sounding systems towards the interpretation of seafloor.
4.The ship will be travelling at a speed of 10kmph while surveying the bottom of sea floor
5.This is the first time the ship is being used for search and rescue operation
6.A team of nine scientists and three coastguard officials along with 25 crew are part of the operation to locate the missing aircraft
7.National Institute of Ocean Technology ship will be joining the search and rescue operation on Sunday evening
How the ship will work:
1.Multi-beam echo sounder will send in the signals from the hull of the ship.
2.Once the signals hit the ground, it will reflect back and will be picked up by the receiver.
3.The receiver will then transmit the image to the computer
4.The operation room has 12 computers each linked to special equipment of the ship
5.The operation room also has plotters which prepares hard copy of sea surface image
Saturday, August 6, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: TN has 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court
writingonblog uncensored: TN has 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court: C Shivakumar Chennai: Tamil Nadu has nearly 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court as the government is making efforts to dispose of the pend...
TN has 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu has nearly 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court as the government is making efforts to dispose of the pending cases in the apex court.
As per information available with Express, the Home department has the highest number of 607 pending cases, the highest in any department. It is followed by Commercial Tax and Registration Department (117), environment and forest department (101), state electricity board (95) and state housing and urban development department (86).
A list is being prepared after state government has asked 51 departments to come up with the number of cases pending at Supreme Court so that action can be taken to dispose off the cases at the earliest.
It is learnt that of the Housing department as a whole along with Directorate of Town and Country Planning department and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has a total of 108 cases pending in Supreme court.
It is learnt that in many of the cases the state government has not filed any counter. Interestingly, this also comes in wake of state government developing a Court Case Monitoring System (CCMS), an IT application platform which will monitor cases pending against the concerned department or officials.
However, sources, said that CCMS does not have a mechanism where in it could notify why there has been a delay in filing the counter and advocate who has failed to do so.
The state government set up CCMS after information provided through Right to Information revealed that Madras High Court has 12,527 petitions of contempt of court pending against government officials while the Madurai Bench has a total of 8,475 Contempt of court cases pending against the officials between the year 2010 to February 16, 2014.
It is learnt that a review meeting was called nearly a month ago by Housing department to find out in how many petitions the counter affidavit has not been filed and in how many petitions the secretary is a respondent.
Fact file
List of pending cases in Supreme court
Departments
Home Department 607
Commercial Tax and Registration 117
Housing department (including CMDA, DTCP) 108
Environment and Forest Department 101
State Electricity Board 95
Revenue Department 74
Health and family Welfare department 62
School education 43
Energy Department 42
Higher Education 30
Municipal Administration and Water Supply 28
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu has nearly 1,800 cases pending in Supreme Court as the government is making efforts to dispose of the pending cases in the apex court.
As per information available with Express, the Home department has the highest number of 607 pending cases, the highest in any department. It is followed by Commercial Tax and Registration Department (117), environment and forest department (101), state electricity board (95) and state housing and urban development department (86).
A list is being prepared after state government has asked 51 departments to come up with the number of cases pending at Supreme Court so that action can be taken to dispose off the cases at the earliest.
It is learnt that of the Housing department as a whole along with Directorate of Town and Country Planning department and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has a total of 108 cases pending in Supreme court.
It is learnt that in many of the cases the state government has not filed any counter. Interestingly, this also comes in wake of state government developing a Court Case Monitoring System (CCMS), an IT application platform which will monitor cases pending against the concerned department or officials.
However, sources, said that CCMS does not have a mechanism where in it could notify why there has been a delay in filing the counter and advocate who has failed to do so.
The state government set up CCMS after information provided through Right to Information revealed that Madras High Court has 12,527 petitions of contempt of court pending against government officials while the Madurai Bench has a total of 8,475 Contempt of court cases pending against the officials between the year 2010 to February 16, 2014.
It is learnt that a review meeting was called nearly a month ago by Housing department to find out in how many petitions the counter affidavit has not been filed and in how many petitions the secretary is a respondent.
Fact file
List of pending cases in Supreme court
Departments
Home Department 607
Commercial Tax and Registration 117
Housing department (including CMDA, DTCP) 108
Environment and Forest Department 101
State Electricity Board 95
Revenue Department 74
Health and family Welfare department 62
School education 43
Energy Department 42
Higher Education 30
Municipal Administration and Water Supply 28
Friday, August 5, 2016
Death of Indian crew on foreign flagship sparks controversy
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The mysterious death of a sailor, who went missing from Liberian registered vessel M T Kingfisher, which was docked in Chennai Port, was mired in controversy as the international ship was allowed to sail without any enquiry being conducted by Indian officials two days after the incident.
Radhakrishnan T K, who was sailing on board MT Kingfisher, an oil tanker, went missing on around 4.20am on July 28 and his body was located at Royapuram on 28th evening. A First Information Report was filed by the police on July 29 but the crew in the ship were not enquired over how the incident happened.
The Chennai Port authorities and Mercantile Marine Department said that the death of the sailor was not informed when the ship departed from Chennai Port on July 30.
As per the The Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, Section 358, the death of any sailor should be reported for the purpose of investigation and enquiry. This incident is blatant violation of Section 358, said Manoj Joy, Chaplain Sailors Society.
Director General of Shipping Deepak Shetty told Express that any death should be reported at the Marine Mercantile Department based in Chennai and it is their duty to conduct the investigation.
But then the recruiting agent of ship and director of Seaarland Management Services, Mumbai, Capt Jairam citing the rules said that he has informed the headquarters of director general of shipping while producing the letters duly acknowledged by the dispatch section. But then the question remains why did the agent inform the Mumbai headquarters when the incident happened in Chennai. To this Jairam replied that as per norms he informed the director general of shipping and if they have not acted it is their fault.
It was also learnt from the agent that the immigration department in Chennai Port, which can’t conduct an enquiry or investigation over the death of a crew member, was informed by Inchcape Shipping Services based in Chennai. “The ship was docked right in front of Mercantile Marine Department’s office and the agent did not inform MMD so that Port State Officer would have investigated the incident,” said Joy.
When Express contacted S Barik, principal officer of MMD, he said they did not get any orders from Director General of Shipping to investigate the incident. “If the director general of shipping asks us to conduct enquiry, we will do the same,” he says.
Interestingly, the office of the Directorate General of shipping has issued a casualty circular on 2006.by laying out guidelines on how the enquiry should be conducted when a death is reported in the ship. This comes after the Nautical Adviser to Union government has observed that in a number of cases, “reports into shipping casualties being forwarded to the Directorate, are found to be lacking in depth and quality in their contents. More so when reports are compiled by Port Officers of Minor Ports. The purpose of conducting investigations into such marine casualties thereby gets defeated.”
The irony is who is responsible for letting the ship sail without conducting any enquiry over the death of the sailor, said Joy.
International Transport Workers Federation inspector K Sreekumar has taken up the issue with the shipping company, MMD and notified the ITF headquarters in London
Chennai:
The mysterious death of a sailor, who went missing from Liberian registered vessel M T Kingfisher, which was docked in Chennai Port, was mired in controversy as the international ship was allowed to sail without any enquiry being conducted by Indian officials two days after the incident.
Radhakrishnan T K, who was sailing on board MT Kingfisher, an oil tanker, went missing on around 4.20am on July 28 and his body was located at Royapuram on 28th evening. A First Information Report was filed by the police on July 29 but the crew in the ship were not enquired over how the incident happened.
The Chennai Port authorities and Mercantile Marine Department said that the death of the sailor was not informed when the ship departed from Chennai Port on July 30.
As per the The Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, Section 358, the death of any sailor should be reported for the purpose of investigation and enquiry. This incident is blatant violation of Section 358, said Manoj Joy, Chaplain Sailors Society.
Director General of Shipping Deepak Shetty told Express that any death should be reported at the Marine Mercantile Department based in Chennai and it is their duty to conduct the investigation.
But then the recruiting agent of ship and director of Seaarland Management Services, Mumbai, Capt Jairam citing the rules said that he has informed the headquarters of director general of shipping while producing the letters duly acknowledged by the dispatch section. But then the question remains why did the agent inform the Mumbai headquarters when the incident happened in Chennai. To this Jairam replied that as per norms he informed the director general of shipping and if they have not acted it is their fault.
It was also learnt from the agent that the immigration department in Chennai Port, which can’t conduct an enquiry or investigation over the death of a crew member, was informed by Inchcape Shipping Services based in Chennai. “The ship was docked right in front of Mercantile Marine Department’s office and the agent did not inform MMD so that Port State Officer would have investigated the incident,” said Joy.
When Express contacted S Barik, principal officer of MMD, he said they did not get any orders from Director General of Shipping to investigate the incident. “If the director general of shipping asks us to conduct enquiry, we will do the same,” he says.
Interestingly, the office of the Directorate General of shipping has issued a casualty circular on 2006.by laying out guidelines on how the enquiry should be conducted when a death is reported in the ship. This comes after the Nautical Adviser to Union government has observed that in a number of cases, “reports into shipping casualties being forwarded to the Directorate, are found to be lacking in depth and quality in their contents. More so when reports are compiled by Port Officers of Minor Ports. The purpose of conducting investigations into such marine casualties thereby gets defeated.”
The irony is who is responsible for letting the ship sail without conducting any enquiry over the death of the sailor, said Joy.
International Transport Workers Federation inspector K Sreekumar has taken up the issue with the shipping company, MMD and notified the ITF headquarters in London
writingonblog uncensored: Air India helps crocs fly to Ahmedabad
writingonblog uncensored: Air India helps crocs fly to Ahmedabad: Chennai: Air India aircraft conducted the air transfer of two crocodiles from Chennai Airport to Ahmedabad route through a cargo aircraf...
Air India helps crocs fly to Ahmedabad
Chennai:
Air India aircraft conducted the air transfer of two crocodiles from Chennai Airport to Ahmedabad route through a cargo aircraft on Thursday.
The two critically endangered female West African slender snouted crocodiles from Madras Crocodile Bank Trust were transferred through a cargo aircraft AI981 to Ahmedabad airport from where it was taken to Sundervan Nature Discovery Centre.
This is the second such transfer of crocodiles through its cargo aircraft with the first being done done in the Ahmedabad to Chennai route. The journey took two hours and twenty minutes.
The crocodiles, weighing 220kg, were transferred in a plywood box with proper ventilation and a controlled temperature of 25 degree celsius, said N Mohammed Riaz, deputy general manager (commercial) Cargo Sales and Marketing southern region and R Srinivasan, Senior assistant general manager (commercial-marketing).
Sohan Mukerjee, wildlife biologist, and Ajay Karthik, assistant curator of Madras Crocodile Bank Trust told Express that the crocodiles are transferred under the Zoo Exchange programme. “We have four female crocodiles in Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and two will be sent to Gujarat, for study and research purpose. Both the crocodiles are aged 25 years. We will be getting a male crocodile possibly next year from a European country either from Czech republic or Netherlands,” said Karthik.
Initially, such transfers occur through road but due to such a long distance and the time inolved, we preferred to transfer it through aircraft. The whole exercise is part of Air India’s Corporate Social Resposibility and the trip is free of cost.
“The talks were going on from April and it was only now we agreed to transport the two crocodiles as the weather is also suitable,” said Srinivasan.
Currently, Madras Crocodile Bank trust have 1,800 crocodiles belonging to 17 species. Of these 17 species, four are critically endangered. On 2010, Air India helped in the transfer of South East asian Crocodile (Tomistoma) for breeding purpose to Chennai, said Soham.
Air India aircraft conducted the air transfer of two crocodiles from Chennai Airport to Ahmedabad route through a cargo aircraft on Thursday.
The two critically endangered female West African slender snouted crocodiles from Madras Crocodile Bank Trust were transferred through a cargo aircraft AI981 to Ahmedabad airport from where it was taken to Sundervan Nature Discovery Centre.
This is the second such transfer of crocodiles through its cargo aircraft with the first being done done in the Ahmedabad to Chennai route. The journey took two hours and twenty minutes.
The crocodiles, weighing 220kg, were transferred in a plywood box with proper ventilation and a controlled temperature of 25 degree celsius, said N Mohammed Riaz, deputy general manager (commercial) Cargo Sales and Marketing southern region and R Srinivasan, Senior assistant general manager (commercial-marketing).
Sohan Mukerjee, wildlife biologist, and Ajay Karthik, assistant curator of Madras Crocodile Bank Trust told Express that the crocodiles are transferred under the Zoo Exchange programme. “We have four female crocodiles in Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and two will be sent to Gujarat, for study and research purpose. Both the crocodiles are aged 25 years. We will be getting a male crocodile possibly next year from a European country either from Czech republic or Netherlands,” said Karthik.
Initially, such transfers occur through road but due to such a long distance and the time inolved, we preferred to transfer it through aircraft. The whole exercise is part of Air India’s Corporate Social Resposibility and the trip is free of cost.
“The talks were going on from April and it was only now we agreed to transport the two crocodiles as the weather is also suitable,” said Srinivasan.
Currently, Madras Crocodile Bank trust have 1,800 crocodiles belonging to 17 species. Of these 17 species, four are critically endangered. On 2010, Air India helped in the transfer of South East asian Crocodile (Tomistoma) for breeding purpose to Chennai, said Soham.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
writingonblog uncensored: Russian Navy to help search missing aircraft
writingonblog uncensored: Russian Navy to help search missing aircraft: C Shivakumar Chennai: The services of Russian Navy Ship Igor Belousov to help find Indian Air Force transport aircraft AN-32 that went mi...
Russian Navy helps search missing Indian aircraft
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The services of Russian Navy Ship Igor Belousov to help find Indian Air Force transport aircraft AN-32 that went missing on July 22 was taken while it was on its way for a ‘goodwill’ visit to Visakhapatnam.
The ship which was inducted in the Russian Navy's Pacific Ocean Fleet search-and-rescue force in November 2015 was capable of undertaking rescue operations at deep ocean.
It is learnt that the ship has underwater communication systems, navigation complex, search equipment, as well as hydrological measuring equipment.
The navigation suite comprises automatic navigation system, sonar, hydro-acoustic navigation system, navigational radar, and hydro-meteorological support systems.
Sources told Express that the ship did carry out search and rescue operations but the search did not yield anything. It is learnt that the vessel has Bester-1 deep submergence rescue vehicle, designed by the Lazurit Central Design Bureau, for improved rescue capability. However, it has its limitations as the rescue vehicle could go up to a depth of 700 metres. The depth where the aircraft would have gone missing is believed to be 3,500 metres.
The equipment of Russian naval ship was tested, said sources. Currently, the search of the aircraft is being undertaken at a stretch of 1,800 kilometre and at that vastness without any idea of where the aircraft has fallen, it is difficult to conduct search and rescue operation.
It seems now the onus again rests on Geological Survey of India ship Samudra Ratnakar which is likely to join the search and rescue operation possibly in next couple of days. Similarly, National Institute of Technology vessel Sagarnidhi is likely to join operation by the end of this week
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