Pics: Dayananda Kukkajel

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, May 22: Commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Air India Express crash at Bajpe airport in 2010, the district administration paid a solemn homage to the victims of the crash here at Tannirbhavi in city, on Sunday May 22 where a park and memorial is being developed.

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai, deputy commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim, zilla panchayat vice president Kasturi Panja, airport director J T Radhakrishnan, deputy chairman of NMPT Suresh Shirwadkar, DCP Shantharaju and others paid floral tribute to the departed souls.

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Expressing his condolence, Ramanath Rai said, "Six years ago Mangaluru witnessed a massive catastrophe in the form of the plane crash. It was a very tragic incident which we cannot forget. It was one of the worst incidents in the history of Indian aviation. In memory of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, NMPT has developed this park and memorial will be constructed shortly. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. I pray for the departed souls."

Speaking to the media, DC A B Ibrahim said "We had proposed to build a memorial for the victims of tragic plane crash near the airport. Since we did not want to remind the air travelers of that bad memory, we built it here. The work on the construction of a memorial park for the victims of the crash is almost complete. The work of constructing memorial structure will be undertaken shortly. We have urged Air India express and Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) to contribute towards the memorial structure."

"The park is built at the cost of Rs 60 lacs and memorial structure is yet to be constructed which is is estimated to cost Rs 9 lacs." he added

The Mangaluru air crash, one of India's worst aviation disasters, had claimed 158 lives and only eight passengers were survivors.