Thiruvananthapuram airport to undertake runway upgradation work from Jan 14
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The international airport here will be carrying out a significant upgrade of its main runway in order to prioritise passenger safety and enhance its overall operational efficiency.
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL), managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) which is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, will carry out the recarpeting project from January 14, 2025.
The work will be carried out between 9 am and 6 pm everyday with the project scheduled to be completed by March 29, TIAL said in a release on Wednesday.
During the project work, airlines operating from the airport will schedule flights prior to 9am and after 6pm, it added.
"During this period, the airport will implement a comprehensive plan to ensure the continuity of services and to mitigate any potential inconveniences to passengers and airlines," TIAL said.
The existing runway -- which is 3,374 meter long and 60 metre wide -- was last recarpeted in 2017 and was due for an upgrade to maintain optimal performance and reliability, it said.
"A total area of 3.48 lakh square metres, including runway and taxiways, will be recarpeted. Upgradation of the Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) system to LED from Halogen, upgradation of airfield signage, and installation of a stop bar light are also included in the recarpeting project," the release said.
It further said that during the project work, the airport will facilitate 96 air traffic movements per day.
"Certain flight schedules may be adjusted, and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for any updates or changes," it added.
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Bengaluru jail introduces biometric tracking system for prisoners
Bengaluru: In a bid to curb misconduct and illegal activities inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, prison authorities have introduced a new ‘Prisoners Tracking Movement System’ under which inmates will have to undergo biometric verification while entering every barrack.
According to jail officials, biometric systems have been installed across all major sections of the prison, including barracks, visitor rooms, hospital, canteen, kitchen, library, playground, handicraft units and bakery sections. Staff members have also been deployed at these locations.
Officials said inmates visiting the visitors’ room must now obtain a digital token after biometric verification. Details such as the prisoner’s name, identification number and entry time will be updated in the prison software system. This will help authorities maintain a complete digital record of inmates visiting and returning from meeting rooms.
Similar systems have also been introduced at entry points of the hospital, library and other barracks accessed for work-related purposes. Officials said the system will help identify prisoners involved in suspicious or illegal activities with other inmates and enable authorities to track how much time a prisoner spends at different locations inside the prison.
Authorities stated that AI-powered cameras were already being used inside the prison to monitor inmates as well as prison staff. Along with this, digital tracking of prisoner phone calls and a digital token system for visitor meetings have now been added to strengthen surveillance over inmate movement. Officials said the project has been implemented at a cost of around Rs 2.25 crore.
The prison department has also introduced a canteen usage tracking system to monitor prisoners’ spending patterns. Instead of direct cash payments, inmates can purchase bakery items and snacks using wallets or coupons issued within the prison system.
Officials said the digital system will record details including the buyer’s name, items purchased, quantity, date, time and remaining wallet balance. This will allow prison authorities to maintain complete expenditure records of inmates.
