Air India Express flight to Mangaluru departs from Kuwait Airport after over 30-hour delay
Passengers express anguish over inconveniences
Kuwait: An Air India Express flight that was scheduled to fly from Kuwait International Airport to Mangaluru at 9 am (IST) on December 25 departed the airport at 3 pm (IST) on December 26, causing inconveniences to the passengers.
Passengers expressed anguish over the delay of more than 30 hours and asserted that they were ill-treated by the crew members at the airport.
One of the passengers, Mohammed Yusuf, who spoke to Vartha Bharati over a phone call, said there were about 150 passengers set to fly to Mangaluru on the flight who were inconvenienced by the delay.
“We arrived at the airport at 6 am on schedule and checked in. We were not informed about the delay in advance nor were we told about it when we arrived at the airport. We were later told the flight had not left for Kuwait from Mangaluru Airport itself while we were already waiting at the Kuwait Airport. This means the airline could’ve informed the passengers about the delay in advance.” Yusuf told Vartha Bharati.
Although the passengers were given a stay at the hotel after the completion of the immigration process, Yusuf said no one from the airline tried to approach them and give a clear picture on the situation.
“One of the passengers was going to attend his father’s funeral in Kerala. There were infants and newborns on the passengers' list, but the airline was least bothered about any of the inconveniences to the passengers.” He further added.
After a delay of more than 30 hours, the flight finally departed from Kuwait Airport on Monday at 3 pm (IST) and was expected to land at the Mangaluru International Airport at 7:30 pm.
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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.
