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C-ATFM
Airports Authority of India (AAI) will launch a project to streamline air traffic flow to the six busiest airports in the country .
The Centralised Air Traffic Flow Management (C-ATFM) is expected to help cut down delays and allow uniform management of flights. The unit will coordinate with India Meteorological Department, defence, airports and airlines to chart out routes and allot departure and arrival slots to avoid delays and congestion. With Delhi as the command and control centre, it has been put to test and shadow operations will start in September.
A senior AAI official said, “It will be implemented in three phases and complete by 2017.The first phase will cover six major airports -Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Together they handle more than 60% of air traffic. C-ATFM will be expanded to other airports in the second phase. In the final phase, it will be connected to neighbouring countries so that India will play a key role in flow management in South Asia.“
Chennai is expected to play a major role as the region controls a major share of traffic to southern India and also over South Asia covering Bay of Bengal and portions of Indian Ocean. A senior official said, “People, location and machinery have been identified in Chennai. It will get a terminal management unit that will use inputs from command centre in Delhi to route flights. It will be linked to the air traffic automation already functioning in Chennai. Flight levels and slots can be easily allotted. This will help decongest the skies.“
Since the project will be linked to military , restricted airspace may open up allowing domestic flights to take the shortest routes. The official also said India had taken the lead in setting up the system in South Asia because of its geographical location. “This region along with Middle East and Africa lack the facility. This will allow aircraft that traverse from west to east and vice versa over South Asia to take the shortest route saving time and fuel,“ he added.
Air traffic flow management is available in more than 44 regions. It covers the American continent, Europe, Russia and East Asia.
Pinaka-II successfully test fired
The trials of Pinaka mark-II missile-cum-multi barrel rocket launcher system were successfully conducted at Pokhran field firing ranges on Saturday . The missile hit the target which was situated 53 kilometres from the firing point. Six rounds of the mark II version of the Pinaka missile were successfully tested.
The officers added, “The area weapon has been developed by the DRDO for destroying neutralising enemy troop concentration areas, communication centres, air terminal complexes, gun rocket locations and for laying mines. High operational mobility , flexibility and accuracy are the major characteristics which give the weapon an edge in the modern artillery warfare for the Indian armed forces.“The DRDO sources said, “With a strike range of around 40 kilometres, the Pinaka can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds from the launcher.“
Pinaka was also put to field testing for assessing its capability during the Kargil conflict.
The officers added, “The area weapon has been developed by the DRDO for destroying neutralising enemy troop concentration areas, communication centres, air terminal complexes, gun rocket locations and for laying mines. High operational mobility , flexibility and accuracy are the major characteristics which give the weapon an edge in the modern artillery warfare for the Indian armed forces.“The DRDO sources said, “With a strike range of around 40 kilometres, the Pinaka can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds from the launcher.“
Pinaka was also put to field testing for assessing its capability during the Kargil conflict.
Cabinet okays shipping pact with Bangladesh
The Union Cabinet has approved the agreement on coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh for faster and economic movement of goods between the two countries. “Exim trade between India and Bangladesh would be benefited by way of reduction in freight charges. It will also improve the utilization of port capacities of Indian ports and open up new opportunity for Indian coastal vessels. It will also help in decongestion of roads especially at the land custom stations integrated check posts at the Indo-Bangladesh border,“ an official release said.
The Indian ports serving as trans-shipment ports for Bangladesh cargo will derive benefits by way of enhanced throughput as a result of Indo-Bangladesh coastal trade, it said. Government also said that both the nations shall render the same treatment to the other country's vessels as it would have done to its national vessels used in international sea transportation.
India's trade with Bangladesh has grown rapidly during the past few years. Bangladesh is now India's largest trade partner in south Asia.
The Indian ports serving as trans-shipment ports for Bangladesh cargo will derive benefits by way of enhanced throughput as a result of Indo-Bangladesh coastal trade, it said. Government also said that both the nations shall render the same treatment to the other country's vessels as it would have done to its national vessels used in international sea transportation.
India's trade with Bangladesh has grown rapidly during the past few years. Bangladesh is now India's largest trade partner in south Asia.
Nalanda University gets a new Chancellor
Former foreign minister of Singapore George Yeo will replace Amartya Sen as the chancellor of Nalanda University . Sen quit in a huff earlier this year, blaming it on the delay in approval to his second stint. “George Yeo, former minister of Singapore is to be the new Chancellor of Nalanda University,“ external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Yeo's appointment is significant in several ways it maintains Nalada's importance as an international university .Yeo has been the driving force of the whole project since its inception and it's a fitting recognition of his contribution.
Yeo's appointment is significant in several ways it maintains Nalada's importance as an international university .Yeo has been the driving force of the whole project since its inception and it's a fitting recognition of his contribution.
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