Ahmedabad crash could be deadliest single-aircraft tragedy in India's aviation history
Ahmedabad, June 12: The devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday may go down as the worst single-aircraft disaster in India’s aviation history, as the confirmed death toll continues to rise.
The previous deadliest crash involving a single aircraft occurred on January 1, 1978, when an Air India Boeing 747 named Emperor Ashoka crashed into the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Bombay (now Mumbai), less than two minutes after take-off. The Dubai-bound flight claimed the lives of all 213 people on board.
While India has witnessed more severe aviation tragedies in terms of total fatalities, such as the 1985 Kanishka bombing, Thursday’s crash in Ahmedabad could become the deadliest ever involving a single aircraft on Indian soil.
ALSO READ: India’s deadliest plane crashes: A look back at nation’s most tragic aviation disasters
In the 1985 incident, Air India Flight 182, operating from Canada to India, was blown up mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean after a bomb planted by Khalistani separatists exploded. The aircraft disintegrated at 31,000 feet, killing all 329 people on board. That tragedy remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history.
Thursday’s crash in Ahmedabad involved Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London, which crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members. As of the latest reports, at least 133 people have been confirmed dead, with rescue and recovery operations ongoing.
If the death toll continues to rise, the Ahmedabad tragedy could surpass the 1978 Bombay crash in terms of lives lost in a single-aircraft crash within the country.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
