Airbus Beluga XL makes historic stop at Kolkata airport
Kolkata: The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata witnessed a historic moment on Tuesday as it hosted the Airbus Beluga XL for the first time. The giant aircraft, the largest in the Beluga series, made a scheduled stop for crew rest and refueling during its journey from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, to its unit in Tianjin, China.
The Airbus Beluga XL landed at the Kolkata airport at 10:43 pm IST, arriving from Bahrain International Airport. The aircraft, known for its distinctive shape and immense size, is primarily used to transport oversized cargo, including large aircraft components such as wings and fuselages. The Beluga XL, an upgraded model of the Beluga ST, boasts a length of 63.1 meters and a wingspan of 60.3 meters, with a payload capacity of approximately 51 tons.
Kolkata airport has previously hosted the smaller Beluga ST, but this marks the first time the larger XL model has touched down in the city. The aircraft’s stopover in Kolkata was necessitated by crew rest requirements, flight duty time limitations (FDTL), and the need to refuel. Among airports in eastern India, Kolkata’s facility is uniquely equipped to accommodate such large aircraft, making it a strategic choice for the Beluga XL’s journey.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
