KSRTC's Mangaluru Dasara tour packages see record-breaking response
Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Mangaluru division’s special Dasara tour packages have received an exceptional response, setting a new record for passenger participation. On Sunday, the KSRTC operated 24 buses under these packages, surpassing the previous record of 22 buses in a single day set during the program's inaugural year in 2022.
The Mangaluru-Madikeri package covered popular tourist spots such as Madikeri, Raja Seat, Abbey Falls, Nisargadhama, and the Golden Temple. The Mangaluru-Kollur package included visits to the Uchila Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kamashile Shri Bramhi Durgaparameshwari Temple (where lunch was provided), Kolluru Mookambika Temple, and Maranakatte Shri Bramhalingeshwara Temple.
The Mangaluru-Murdeshwar package featured stops at the Murudeshwara Temple, Chandika Durgaparameshwari Temple Kumbashi, Anegudde Ganapathi Temple, and Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple. Meanwhile, the Mangaluru-Navadurga package took pilgrims to several prominent temples, including Shri Mangaladevi Temple, Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Bappanadu Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple, and Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple.
According to Rajesh Shetty, KSRTC Mangaluru Divisional Controller, a total of 1,119 passengers utilized the service to various destinations across Karnataka.
The Mangaluru-Madikeri package, which operated seven buses, attracted 350 passengers, while eight buses running the Mangaluru-Kollur route carried 400 passengers. The Mangaluru-Murdeshwar package saw 150 passengers across three buses, and four buses under the Mangaluru-Navadurga package transported 120 passengers.
Other routes also saw significant ridership, with 46 passengers traveling on the Udupi-Kollur package and 53 on the Udupi-Idagunji package.
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DGCA advisory to airlines on potential rudder system issue in Boeing 737 planes
New Delhi, Oct 7: Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday issued an advisory to Indian airlines operating Boeing 737 planes regarding the potential risk of a jammed rudder control system.
The move follows the recent probe report by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that highlighted safety concerns involving Boeing 737 aircraft lanes equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators.
Against the backdrop of the potential risk of a jammed or restricted rudder control system, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued safety recommendations to the Indian carriers.
Currently, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet operate Boeing 737 planes.
In August, Boeing informed affected operators of 737 planes about the potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator.
A SpiceJet spokesperson said none of its Boeing 737 NG aircraft are impacted.
DGCA said all flight crews are to be informed through a circular/advisory regarding the possibility of a jammed or restricted rudder control system.
"Appropriate mitigations must be communicated to help crews identify and handle such a situation," it added.
Further, all operators have been asked to conduct a safety risk assessment for aircraft to evaluate and mitigate the risk associated with the rudder control system.
The regulator also said that all Category III B approach, landing, and rollout operations, including practice or actual autoland, must be discontinued for these planes until further notice. Category III B pertains to operations in low visibility conditions.
Among other measures, airlines have been asked to mandatorily include discussion about potential rudder control system issues as a mandatory topic in recurrent training sessions.
It will also be included in the Instrument Rating/Proficiency Checks (IR/PPC) during pre-simulator briefings.
"Operators have been instructed to include specific exercises in Recurrent Training and IR/PPC that simulate scenarios involving a jammed or restricted rudder control system, including rollout procedures.
"Appropriate flight crew responses and mitigations should be practised during these exercises," the regulator said in a release.
DGCA also said the interim measures aim to enhance safety and ensure that flight crews are well-prepared to handle potential rudder control issues effectively.
The rudder rollout guidance actuator is designed to control the rudder's movement during Category III B approach, landing and rollout operations.
On September 27, Boeing in a statement had said that in August, it had informed affected 737 operators of a potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator, which is part of an option autoland system.
"The autoland system includes layers of redundancy and we are working with our supplier to develop additional guidance to address the potential condition," it had said.
