Karnataka Minsiter MB Patil confirms second international airport for Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Amid discussions over considering a second airport for Bengaluru city, Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil on Wednesday confirmed the coming up of the new international airport dedicated to the city.
Patil speaking to media persons at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday stated, "Bengaluru, which is one of the fastest growing cities in terms of industrial growth and population globally, needs another international airport to handle over 100 million passengers annually and a four and a half thousand to five thousand acres of land will be required for this purpose, and a high-level committee will consider it and finalize it.”
"Bengaluru is also the technology and innovation capital of the country, and the present Kempegowda International Airport is the third busiest airport after Delhi and Mumbai in the country. At present, it handles 52 million passengers and 0.71 million tons of cargo per year. He explained that it can be expanded up to 1.10 million tonnes and it will reach the maximum level by 2035. KIAL now has two runways, in which expansion is not possible,” he clarified.
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"By 2035, Kempegowda Airport will reach its maximum capacity. Following our project announcement, the Tamil Nadu government proposed a new airport in Hosur, but we have no issue with that," Patil added.
The minister outlined several requirements for the new airport, including the absence of nearby hills, rivers, or seas, as well as quality state/national highway, rail, and metro connectivity. He mentioned potential locations such as Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road, Magadi, Doddaballapur, Dabasapete, and Tumkur.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which built KIAL, had stipulated that no new airport should be established within a 150 km radius until 2033. Patil noted that this restriction will expire by 2033, and with immediate action, the new airport could be operational by then.
"Second airports have been constructed 35-40 km from existing airports in Delhi and Mumbai. We will consider similar distances," Patil assured, emphasizing that the proposed airport will enhance convenience in all aspects.
In addition, Patil also revealed about holding discussions about the state's industrial development with Union Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy. He plans to personally visit and submit a proposal to the Centre, highlighting the state's interest in attracting major industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, with full state government support.
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Woman in labour dies while being transported in ambulance lacking oxygen support
Palghar (PTI): A 26-year-old pregnant woman from Maharashtra's Palghar district died while being taken to hospital in an ambulance which was not equipped with oxygen and other necessary facilities, authorities said on Wednesday.
Palghar's Civil Surgeon Dr Ramdas Marad said the health department has repeatedly raised concerns with authorities about the lack of specialised ambulances in the region.
The woman, who was in labour pain, was brought to a rural hospital here in a critical state on Tuesday evening.
"If she had come earlier, we could have saved her," the health official said.
Palghar Lok Sabha member Dr Hemant Savara said the health department should take necessary action into the matter and ambulance services should have adequate facilities.
Pinki Dongarkar, resident of Sarni village, went into labour on Tuesday evening.
Her family immediately rushed her to Kasa rural hospital, but due to the critical nature of her condition, the staff there referred her to neighbouring Silvassa city (in the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) for further medical attention.
However, despite frantic attempts by her family to secure an ambulance equipped with oxygen and necessary medical facilities through the '108' emergency service, their requests went unanswered, a health official said.
They were eventually provided with a regular ambulance by the Kasa rural hospital.
While en route to Silvassa, the woman succumbed to complications and the foetus also did not survive, health officials confirmed.
Dr Marad said the woman was brought to the Kasa rural hospital in a critical state.
According to him, the woman suffered from a condition called Intrauterine Fetal Death (IUFD), where the foetus died in the womb. The exact time of the foetal death could not be determined.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the woman was semi-conscious and showed signs of severe infection.
On issues with the 108 emergency ambulance services, which are privately operated, Dr Marad said the ambulance might have been unavailable due to high demand.
The health department has repeatedly raised concerns with authorities about the lack of specialised ambulances in the region, he said.
Talking to PTI, Palghar BJP MP Savara said, "This is a very sad incident. The health department should take necessary action in this connection. Also, such an incident should not happen in future for this reason."
"The ambulance services should have adequate oxygen and cardiac support facilities. Also, a doctor is required to accompany the patient. I will follow it up with the government," he said.
CPI (M) leader Vinod Nikole, the newly-elected assembly member from Dahanu in Palghar, said he had raised the issue in the House during his last term, but no action was taken.
He criticised the government over "indifference" towards improving healthcare facilities, particularly in tribal areas, and accused the state of prioritising other programmes, such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana, over the urgent needs of healthcare in rural regions.
