Latest news with #P.K.Mishra
The Wire
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
More Protests Break Out Against Proposed Siang Dam in Arunachal Pradesh
New Delhi: On Monday, July 14, villagers from three districts in Arunachal Pradesh participated in a rally at the village of Geku in Upper Siang, taking out a peaceful march against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, a nearly 12,000-megawatt hydropower project that is being mooted across the Siang river in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh. Local communities have been agitating against the hydropower project and dam – being implemented by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) – for several years now, fearing displacement from their ancestral lands which they associate culturally with, and the environmental impacts that the dam could cause in the area. Videos of the rally showed at least a thousand people gathered at a ground in Geku and later undertaking a protest march through village roads, shouting slogans such as 'We want justice', 'Remove the armed forces', 'No dam, no PFR' and ' Bharat mata ki jai '. The peaceful march occurred in the presence of police and armed forces deployment in the area. Protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Photo: By arrangement In a letter dated July 14 to P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) – on behalf of the Project Affected Families (PAFs) and residents of all submergence villages – expressed their 'strong opposition' to the project as well as the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities that the government was conducting without peoples' consent. The letter said that claims made by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, on his official Facebook and Twitter accounts, suggesting that the villagers of Riga have given their consent, 'are factually incorrect' and that the village and tribal council had not given their consent, and that no public meeting was at the village by any concerned authority. 'We are deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights violations and the lack of effective grievance redressal mechanisms for the affected communities. Despite our repeated efforts, the concerns of the submergence villages have not been adequately addressed by the state authorities. Instead, a false narrative, propagated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister and other MLAs such as Shri Ojing Tasing, portrays a misleading picture of community support for the project,' the letter claimed. It urged the principal secretary to 'present the accurate ground reality to the Prime Minister', including the 'widespread opposition' to the project at the meeting being conducted on Tuesday, July 15. 'We sincerely hope that the concerns of the PAFs and submergence villages will be prioritized, and that no decisions will be taken based on misleading representations,' it urged. Another letter by the Youth Wing of the SIFF to the principal secretary, on July 14, highlighted that people are on an 'indefinite peaceful protest' against the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for the PFR of the project. Condemning the 'unconstitutional practice', the letter added that they, the Adi people of Siang, 'do not want to dam our Aane Siang [the big Siang river] nor be displaced from our motherland'. The Adi are one of the major tribal communities who live in the area where the Siang dam is proposed. The letter urged that the project proposal be cancelled and all activities linked to the project, 'We shall continue protesting until our demand is fulfilled,' it stated. Villagers protesting against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, Uppar Siang, Arunachal Pradesh. Photo: By arrangement Since May 23 this year, villagers have been on an indefinite protest against the deployment of armed forces in the area to implement the first phase of the project – a study for pre-feasibility report – at the village. Protesters also burnt down a hanging bridge to prevent the army from entering the village, as The Wire reported earlier. Apart from concerns like displacement, loss of homes and agricultural lands, as well as the environmental impacts such as the loss of rich biodiversity, the Upper Siang project – set to be India's largest hydropower project, if built – is also proposed in a seismically-active area.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Global aviation experts join India's probe into AI plane crash
New Delhi: A high-level team of international aviation investigators and Boeing representatives have arrived in Ahmedabad to support India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in examining the June 12 fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The tragic incident claimed 241 lives, including passengers and crew on board. The investigative delegation includes officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as confirmed by multiple sources. Their involvement is in accordance with global civil aviation norms, particularly Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which mandates collaboration with the aircraft's country of manufacture and those with significant victim representation. Among the deceased were 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 181 Indian citizens, including 12 crew members. The AAIB initiated a formal inquiry on the day of the crash, dispatching a five-member 'Go Team' led by the Director General. This was later bolstered by forensic analysts, medical experts, and top officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are also aiding the probe. A major development occurred on June 13 when the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as a black box, was recovered. The data is expected to offer critical insights into the aircraft's final minutes. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which captures audio from inside the flight deck, has also been retrieved. Meanwhile, Boeing is coordinating with Indian authorities while deferring to the AAIB, as per international protocol. The US-based manufacturer will be joined by experts from GE Aerospace, the engine supplier for the aircraft, which has cancelled other engagements to prioritise the investigation in India. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, visited the crash site and the Civil Hospital where victims' mortal remains are being identified. He later chaired a high-level meeting with central and state officials, reviewing relief operations and reiterating the Centre's commitment to supporting the bereaved families. The PMO officials, Tarun Kapoor and Mangesh Ghildiyal, accompanied him. The investigation continued amid growing public scrutiny of Boeing and calls for a thorough examination of the causes behind the deadly crash.
India.com
16-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Global Aviation Experts Join India's Probe Into Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash
Ahmedabad: A high-level team of international aviation investigators and Boeing representatives has arrived in Ahmedabad to support India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in examining the June 12 fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The tragic incident claimed 241 lives, including passengers and crew on board. The investigative delegation includes officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as confirmed by multiple sources. Their involvement is in accordance with global civil aviation norms, particularly Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which mandates collaboration with the aircraft's country of manufacture and those with significant victim representation. Among the deceased were 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 181 Indian citizens, including 12 crew members. The AAIB initiated a formal inquiry on the day of the crash, dispatching a five-member 'Go Team' led by the Director General. This was later bolstered by forensic analysts, medical experts, and top officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are also aiding the probe. A major development occurred on June 13 when the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as a black box, was recovered. The data is expected to offer critical insights into the aircraft's final minutes. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which captures audio from inside the flight deck, has also been retrieved. Meanwhile, Boeing is coordinating with Indian authorities while deferring to the AAIB, as per international protocol. The US-based manufacturer will be joined by experts from GE Aerospace, the engine supplier for the aircraft, which has cancelled other engagements to prioritise the investigation in India. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, visited the crash site and the Civil Hospital where victims' mortal remains are being identified. He later chaired a high-level meeting with central and state officials, reviewing relief operations and reiterating the Centre's commitment to supporting the bereaved families. The PMO officials, Tarun Kapoor and Mangesh Ghildiyal, accompanied him. The investigation continued amid growing public scrutiny of Boeing and calls for a thorough examination of the causes behind the deadly crash.
Arab Times
16-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Cockpit voice recorder recovered in Air India crash; investigation underway
GUJARAT, India, June 16: Officials investigating Sunday's deadly Air India plane crash have confirmed the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), a key piece of evidence that will aid in determining the cause of the crash that claimed 270 lives, including 241 people on board. Previously, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had announced the retrieval of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). The confirmation of both black boxes was made to P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site in Ahmedabad and the civil hospital where injured individuals are being treated. Mishra chaired a high-level review meeting at Circuit House, where he discussed ongoing relief, rescue, and investigative measures with senior officials from the central and state governments, the AAIB, and the Airports Authority of India, according to an official release. 'The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been located and secured,' the release stated, noting that both devices are critical for determining the cause of the crash. The AAIB has launched a thorough investigation, while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also conducting a parallel probe under international protocols, as the aircraft involved is American-made. The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 (AI 171) en route to London, which plummeted shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane crashed into the campus of a nearby medical college in the Meghaninagar area, erupting in flames. Of the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one survived. An additional 29 people on the ground, including five MBBS students, also lost their lives. Mishra visited the accident site near B.J. Medical College, Meghani Nagar, where state government and AAIB officials briefed him on the crash sequence and emergency response efforts. During a visit to Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, Mishra met with grieving families, observed DNA matching procedures, and directed authorities to ensure a smooth and compassionate process. He also spoke with injured victims and instructed hospital staff to prioritize their care and recovery. 'I am deeply saddened by the scale of this tragedy. Everyone is grieving. It is our responsibility to support the victims and share their sorrow,' Mishra said during a press interaction. At the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar, he reviewed ongoing DNA identification efforts and emphasized the importance of accurate and timely identification of the victims. Mishra reaffirmed Prime Minister Modi's commitment to providing comprehensive support to the victims' families and ensuring a coordinated response from all agencies involved. He was accompanied by PMO officials, including Advisor to the Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal, the release added.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- The Hindu
Air India Ahmedabad plane crash: International agencies reach Ahmedabad to assist in crash probe
Several international investigating agencies have reached Ahmedabad to assist India's apex body for probing air crashes, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the inquiry into last week's Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 241 onboard. Those who have arrived include representatives from the top investigating agency of the U.S. for transport accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); the civil aviation watchdog of the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); and the U.K.'s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), multiple sources said. A team of aerospace manufacturer Boeing is also expected to participate in the investigation. Air India Ahmedabad plane crash LIVE updates Among those who died in the crash were 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian citizen. The remaining 181 were Indians, including 12 crew. Review meeting The Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, P.K. Mishra, visited the crash site and the BJ Medical College where the bodies had been brought to. He discussed the ongoing relief, rescue, and investigation efforts during a high-level review meeting with senior officials from the Central and State governments, the AAIB, and the Airports Authority of India. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to providing all possible support to victims' families and ensuring a coordinated response across all agencies involved. The Principal Secretary was accompanied by Tarun Kapoor, Adviser to the PM, and Mangesh Ghildiyal, Deputy Secretary, PMO. The AAIB retrieved the black box a day after the June 12 crash from the accident site, i.e., the BJ Medical college hostel campus. The next steps involve 'milking' the data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and digital flight data recorder (DFDR), which together comprise the black box. Milking implies downloading of raw data, which could take up to 25 hours for the DFDR and two hours for the CVR. After this, the data will be analysed to interpret flight parameters such as speed, angle of attack, among others. The two exercises together could take up to four to five days, said a former senior investigator of the AAIB. During the last air crash involving Air India Express aircraft at the Calicut International Airport in August 2020, the black box was sent to the U.S. because the AAIB didn't have its own facility. In April 2025, Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated a DFDR & CVR Laboratory at the AAIB headquarters in New Delhi. A questionnaire sent to Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday seeking details of where this data would be downloaded, among others, remained unanswered. The above quoted former official said the AAIB didn't have a Boeing 787-'type trained' investigator until at least 18 months ago. He felt that such an expertise could only come from Air India, which is the only airline to fly this type of aircraft in the country, but deputing their personnel may imply a conflict of interest. He said that the AAIB may have to look overseas for such expertise. Questions sent to the AAIB DG, Group Captain G.V.G. Yugandhar, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation on onboarding 'type-trained' investigators too remained unanswered. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is an office attached to Ministry of Civil Aviation. It investigates accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft weighing more than 2,250 kg. According to standards laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN aviation safety watchdog, the state probing an accident or incident is expected to produce a preliminary report within 30 days. 'A publicly available final report is encouraged to be produced by the state in charge of the investigation within 12 months of the accident, says Annex 13 of the ICAO's Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which provides standards for accident investigations. As per Annex 13, the state of occurrence is responsible for the investigation and controls the release of all information regarding the probe. The NTSB had earlier said in a press statement on X that as per international protocols under the ICAO, all information on the investigation will be provided by the Government of India. The FAA had said that 'in the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative and the FAA provides technical support'. The NTSB participates in the investigation of aviation accidents and serious incidents outside the U.S. in accordance with the Chicago Convention of the ICAO. The government has also constituted a separate committee under the Chairmanship of the Home Secretary, which will recommend standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent air accidents, as well as guidelines for emergency response involving multiple stakeholders.
