Land acquisition delay hits airport expansion

Defence Authorities Yet To Vacate 19-Acre Land; Sriperumbudur Project Too Likely To Be Delayed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Nov 28, 2009: 

Chennai: The ongoing expansion of the existing airport and the proposed second airport at Sriperumbudur may get delayed if the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is not able to eliminate the bottlenecks the projects face. 

    The existing airport’s development will be hit if defence authorities do not vacate the 19-acre land adjacent to the international terminal immediately, while tardiness of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in completing a techno-economic feasibility study is delaying the Sriperumbudur airport. 

    AAI chairman VP Agrawal said the AAI may not be able to complete the project on time if the defence land was held up. “We are planning to take up the issue with the defence secretary,” he said. 

  

  Though the land was formally handed over to the AAI in July, defence authorities are refusing to vacate a transmitter building located on it. The AAI has also built a Rs 3-crore transmitter station at an alternative site. “The ongoing expansion works are progressing at a rapid pace and could be completed next year. But, delay in getting the defence land will impact the expansion works,” said Agrawal after inaugurating a 303-metre walkalator that connects the domestic and international terminals on Friday. The walkalator, built at a cost of Rs 12 crore, helps passengers to access aero bridges of both the terminals. 

    Agrawal said the financial condition of the AAI would not impact the ongoing expansion works at Kolkata and Chennai. “As tax-free bonds are not coming from the government, we may borrow from the market. So, the projects may not be affected,” he said. 

    The proposed second airport project on 4,820 acres at Sriperumbudur may get delayed considerably because the ICAO is going slow on the techno-economic feasibility study. “The AAI has paid an advance to the organisation to start the study. But, they have not done much. So, we have written to the secretary general of the organisation,” Agrawal said. 

    The study has already been delayed by almost a year because the AAI did not pay the advance to the ICAO. The organisation was supposed to submit its report in June this year. The AAI could decide the fate of the proposed parallel runway only after getting the ICAO report on Sriperumbudur airport, he said. Agrawal said a new radar would be installed by the end of March 2010. “The airport will get two radars. One will soon be installed at Porur,” he said. 

AAI to respond to vigilance poser 

Chennai: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will respond to the queries of central vigilance commissioner (CVC) over a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in giving contracts to agencies to handle a parking lot at the airport more than three years ago. 

    The CBI has submitted its report to CVC requesting departmental action. So, CVC has asked AAI to respond. “We will send our comments and the final decision is going to be with the vigilance,” said AAI chairman VP Agrawal. 

    The CVC scrutinised the issue in 2005 and later CBI investigated the matter. Now, the parking lot is managed by Navbharat, which has a permanent contract. TNN

Technical snag hits radar, delays flights

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 27, 2009: 

Chennai: Less than two months after it was introduced at the Chennai Air Traffic Control, the state-of-the-art Performance Based Navigation System was disabled for 24 hours from Wednesday evening, following the failure of a radar component. This rendered the secondary radar that monitors aircraft movement beyond 60 miles dysfunctional. The PBN system works on predetermined air routes for landing, take-off and mid-air locations for holding aircraft. 

    The snag delayed several flights from 30 minutes to an hour during peak hours till the radar was restored on Thursday evening. Sources said that Calibrated Performance Maintenance Equipment (CPME), which indicates that the radar is functioning and the data it displays is accurate and reliable, stopped working. 

    Though blips were seen on the air traffic control screens, there was no way to find out whether the altitude, speed and location of the aircraft displayed were accurate in the absence of CPME. The approach radar used for guiding departures and arrivals worked well. 

    As the CPME did not revive even after repeated attempts of repair, the AAI airlifted a spare equipment from Mangalore and installed it by around 6.30 pm on Thursday, said an AAI official. Flights were delayed because controllers were not able to effectively monitor air space over Bangalore and Hyderabad airports where a majority of air routes intersect at different levels. 

    Controllers had to work as if the radar was not available at all. They called up pilots to get their location. “Controllers were not able to provide high level for many aircraft because flights landings and take-offs in Hyderabad and Bangalore often cross air routes from Chennai. These intersecting air routes are located beyond 60 miles from the city and are in the coverage area of the secondary radar,” said a pilot. 

    The snag at Chennai airport also led to minor delays in other airports as well because requests were relayed to other airports to delay departures to prevent bunching of aircraft. Air traffic controllers could not use areas defined as holding points for aircraft and the feeder routes that were defined for landing and take off at Chennai airport. 

    Sources said the equipment that failed was more than 10 years old and the airport did not have a standby though all major airports have two CPMEs. 

    “The airport had two CPMEs sometime ago. But, one stopped working. It was never replaced. The airport was using the remaining one without a standby for so long. If it was replaced, AAI would not have had to scout for spares,” said a source. The AAI is planning to install two state-of-the-art radar and automate air traffic control system by the end of the year. RADAR FAILURES 

Both radar have failed thrice in 

January, 2009 They failed again in May, 2009 In September, 2009 workers dug up and snapped cables 

Radar have failed because of tech snags several times since July 2008 

Chennai airport does not have standby radar so aircraft schedules get affected every time a radar fails 

AAI is planning to install two radar by the end of the year

ICF turns to outsourcing to increase production

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 25, 2009: 

Chennai: In a bid to increase production, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur is all set to go for largescale outsourcing of work in the coming months. 

    The move comes after the ICF’s production increased manifold once some of the non-core work such as production and fixing of berths, seats, backrests, windowpanes, luggage racks and other fixtures in coaches were outsourced to private firms. In April-October 2009, the factory produced 765 coaches, compared to the 680 coaches during the same period last year, an increase of 12.5%. 

    “We were able to achieve high production largely due to outsourcing. Improvement of manufacturing techniques and design also helped. We are in the process of identifying more work that can be given to private firms,” said Hemant Kumar, chief mechanical engineer, ICF. 

    In addition to purchasing components and fixtures from external sources, ICF is also allowing them to bring workers and use its facilities. “Outsourcing has helped us by getting our workers to focus on core production activity such as making bogies and shells and also meeting new orders. The 7,000 workers who are involved in making coaches are not affected because they are moved to other shops when a unit is outsourced,” said Kumar. 

    According to the ICF Karmik Sangh, affiliated to the Bharatiya Railway Mazdoor Sangh (BRMS), around 1,000 contract workers are employed in the factory. B Devanand, deputy general secretary, BRMS, said shop No. 33 where windows were made was closed down while the doors for EMUs and suburban trains in Mumbai produced at shop No. 18 were now being purchased from outside.

Lamborghini catches fire at airport, engine damaged

CAR WORTH RS 2 CRORE

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 24, 2009: 

Chennai: Tense moments prevailed at the airport’s cargo complex on Monday when a Lamborghini car, kept ready for loading on to an Emirates cargo flight, caught fire. 

    Sources said the Lamborghini Gallardo car was on a trolley when the mishap occurred around 6.30am. The engine was gutted. 

    Airport officials said the car (EX 431 GK), which was brought from Milan, Italy, for a demonstration at the Madras Motor Sports Club’s track at Irungattukottai last month, was worth around Rs 2 crore. Five such cars had been brought for the show. 

    While the Airports Authority of India and Emirates claimed that some smoke had emerged from the car but it had not caught fire, police said its engine had been damaged in the fire. 

    Sources said that two Lamborghini cars had been brought to the airport on Sunday evening to be taken to Milan on an Emirates cargo flight. One of the cars had half a tank of fuel. Staff at the air cargo complex allegedly kept the vehicle idling throughout the night to burn the fuel as cars can be loaded on to aircraft only with an empty fuel tank. 

    An AAI official said: “The smoke activated fire sprinklers inside the cargo complex. AAI had handed over the car to the airline for loading and it was in the air cargo complex when the accident happened.” However, the reason for the fire is not known. “We will investigate the reason behind the accident because it could have turned into a major disaster if the smoke was not put out by the fire sprinkler system,’’ he added. Car engine may have heated up: Expert 

Chennai: A Lamborghini car kept for loading into an Emirates cargo flight caught fire on Monday. But luckily the fire did not fire spread as it was put out by a sprinkler system at the airport’s cargo complex. ‘‘Other consignments would also have caught fire,” an AAI official said. An automobile expert said, “Lamborghini cars are supposed to be driven fast. The engine gets heated quickly and the cooling system works only when the car is moving at a high speed. Keeping the engine idling for a long time will heat it up. It is also possible that the car might have been manoeuvred at slow speeds inside the cargo area for loading.” 

    The car was brought to Chennai using merchandise passport called ‘Carnet’, which simplifies customs procedures for temporary import of various types of goods. 

ICF rolls out uber-luxury coaches

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 21, 2009: 

Chennai: The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur will soon roll out coaches for the Maharajas’ Express, a pan-India luxury tourist train that will be operated by Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd (RITL) — a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd (CKIL). 

    The concept was unveiled by the government in ITB Berlin, a trade platform, in March this year. The train — the most prestigious luxury train, according to the railways — will connect tourists spots between Mumbai and Delhi and between Delhi and Kolkata. “The train is expected to cover tourist destinations in south India in 2011,” an IRCTC official said. ICF has already completed production of 23 coaches and they are being furnished according to IRCTC specifications. “The coaches are in the final stages of production. The trial run is due for the first week of January before the actual launch scheduled for mid-January. The train will have state-of-the-art facilities, a level higher than the Palace on Wheels, the most prestigious one we have in the country,” said a senior IRCTC official. 

    “The 23 coaches for the Maharajas’ Express are different from what we have been producing for the Deccan Odyssey. It is one of the orders we will be fulfilling this year,” said ICF chief mechanical engineer Hemant Kumar. According to RITL, the luxury train has “a total of 23 coaches with a passenger capacity of 84.” 

    It is the first luxury train that boasts of four distinct configurations. It has five deluxe carriages, each with four cabins; six deluxe cabin carriages, each with three cabins; two suite carriages each with two suites; and an exclusive presidential suite in one carriage.” 

    The train will have two multi-cuisine restaurants that can seat 42 persons at a time. Its bar will have a collection of beers, wines and spirits. There will be an observation lounge with a separate bar, game tables and a boutique. 

    ayyappan.v@timesgroup.com 

Foreigners fall prey to forex touts at airport

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 16, 2009:

Chennai: Illegal moneychangers have become a menace at the city airport with repeated crackdowns by law-enforcing agencies failing to act as a deterrent. 

    The traders, with wads of foreign and Indian currency, wait outside the international terminal. They offer currencies at rates cheaper than those of licensed forex firms. Foreigners fall prey to these touts. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not erected any boards at the airport warning travellers about such traders. 

    “Illegal agents allegedly cheat passengers by handing fake currency notes along with genuine ones during a transaction,” said a senior AAI official. 

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues licences only to select moneychanging firms. Two such firms — Thomas Cook and VKC Credit and Forex Services — have counters at the airport. On the contrary, money changing is widespread in several foreign countries. “So, foreign tourists are led to believe that these agents are legal. This is a revenue loss to the government because they carry out an illegal transaction without records,” the AAI official added. 

    VKC Credit and Forex Services director R Venkatasubramanian said: “Many passengers prefer to change their money from these agents to avoid income tax. These transactions leave no trail of records whereas passengers coming to us are required to furnish their passports.” 

    The RBI’s “know your client” policy also drives passengers to the grey market. “According to RBI rules, a passenger should show his/her passport and documents indicating the source of money to convert more than $2,000. Those who want to avoid this approach illegal agents,” he added. 

    The AAI has raised the issue at many security meetings with the CISF and the state police. “We often crack down on the agents. Several have been arrested and charged,”said C Kuppusamy, the assistant commissioner of police. 

FLOUTING NORMS 

    Illegal moneychangers do roaring business despite frequent crackdowns 

    Touts offer currency at exchange rates cheaper than licensed forex firms 

    Illegal agents slip in fake currencies along with genuine ones during transactions 

    Foreigners, unaware of RBI rules, often fall prey to these touts

AC equipment on all trains to be checked

SIGN OF PANIC

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 15: 

Chennai: Southern Railway plans to tighten inspection of air-conditioning equipment in all train coaches after smoke billowed out of the blower of a roof-mounted AC equipment in the B1 coach of the Chennai Central-Nagercoil Express at the Central Station on Friday. 

    The incident that occurred in the Third AC coach had caused chaos on the platform and at the railway station as news spread quickly about the smoke and passengers breaking windowpanes to escape. Although it was the first instance of smoke emanating from the blower of an AC coach, the railways will be check all air-conditioning equipment thoroughly as part of pre-departure maintenance to prev

ent such accidents recurring. 

    Railway officials are surprised because AC coaches are thoroughly checked and maintained by the staff of firms that supply equipment, before they are cleared for service. The AC equipment is handled by representatives of private companies who either enter a contract for maintenance or install the equipment. Other checks are conducted only when there is urgent need to replace a faulty coach. “We have enough spare AC coaches for lastminute replacements,” said a source. 

    “The cause of the accident is being investigated, said a senior official. Railway officials are not taking any chances. The electrical wing is likely to now insist that technicians take greater care of AC equipment in coaches. 

    The railway yards are yet to get instruction to tighten checks, though. 

    According to rules, circulars will be issued from the respective departments detailing the nature of the incident and instructing staff to check the faulty equipment. This is usually done when a problem is detected in coaches. 

    Sources said a circular ordering replacement of automatic locks or ‘slam door’ locks in toilets was issued after a passenger was stuck inside one some time ago. 

    “Earlier, railways had uniform fittings installed in all coaches, designed for repeated use. When passengers began complaining that toilets lacked aesthetic fixtures, we purchased fixtures from the market, fixtures meant for domestic use. These fixtures hardly suit the need of railways where toilet locks are used several hundred times during a trip,” said an official.

MRTS stations, already in poor shape, turn wet and dirty after the monsoon

V Ayyappan | TNN 

Nov 11: 

Chennai: In a return to last year’s situation, the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) stations in the city have developed leaks, flooding platforms and concourse areas due to the rain. 

    In November 2008, Southern Railway officials had said that all development works being carried out by the Metropolitan Transport Project would be completed at stations between Thirumailai and Velachery by March 2009. However, the situation in many of these stations remains unchanged. 

    After the rains, escalators have been switched off at all the stations because rainwater has been dripping on them. Southern Railway was operating the escalators after the Central Bureau of Investigation raided the stations following complaints that the machines were lying unused. 

    An official from a private company that installed the escalators said, “Water seeps into the escalators ruining the panels and fixtures in the motor. We have been complaining to the railways about the leakage for the past six years.” 

    “We will know about the condition of the machines after the rains stop,” he added, while checking for water seepage in the motor of the escalator at the Greenways Road station. Commuters are now forced to walk in ankle-deep water in many stations. “Maintenance is the need of the hour,” said Kalaiarasan, a commuter waiting for a train. 

    Last year, Southern Railway officials had said that works were stalled because of a steep rise in the prices of cement and steel. Divisional railway manager S K Kulshrestha said, “Steps are being taken to prevent leakage. Some more works need to be completed. It is taking time because stations are huge. As utilisation is less, miscreants damage window panes and other fixtures.”