M’lore: Question Mark Hangs over Formal Hot-Air Balloon Inaugural Show
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Dec 22: The eagerly awaited hot-air balloon's trail show, considered to be a star show stopper of the Karavali Utsav turned out to be just that - a bag of hot balloon with no substance, remaining grounded throughout the trial show, dampening the enthusiasm of hundreds of spectators at the Nehru Maidan here on Friday December 21.
The trial run of hot-air balloon for selected viewing of invitees including the media personnel at the Nehru Maidan as a curtain raiser for the Karavali Utsav-2007, attracted hundreds of people cutting across all age groups. This is one event which has been eagerly awaited by the city folk. Hence the hot air balloon having a diameter size of 160 feet was the cynosure of all eyes, as the event organizers set about getting the balloon afloat like a bird in the sky.
Unfortunately, much as they tried the hot air balloon remained grounded, with every trick in the book to get he balloon afloat not yielding any result. Finally even the organizers had to call off the show. Hundreds of spectators were seen leaving the maidan, disappointment looming all over their face. The organizers have blamed the strong cross winds, which is typical to the coast as preventing the hot-air balloon from taking-off. However, others aver that it was owing to the organizers not getting the requisite permission from Bajpe Airport authorities which is responsible for this fiasco.
According to deputy director of National Adventure Foundation (NAF) Safar Ahmed the trial show was a non-starter owing to strong winds. As for the necessary official permission he claimed that he had it from the Air Traffic Controller (ATC). It is only in case of making a free flight, that he would have required Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airport authority clearance. Since this is a vertical flight that which goes upto a distance of 300 feet directly without any deviation, DGCA/Airport authority permission is not needed, he added.
Giving reasons for going in for a vertical flight, he said that in the beginning he did think of taking DGCA permission, as he thought of organizing a free flight. However, after coming to the location using the Global Positioning System (GPS) co-ordinates, he found to his dismay that it would be impossible to do so owing to cross winds from sea and landward area. Hence he then finally decided to go in for vertical flight, he clarified. And if the winds continue like this, he grimly added that they may not be able to have any flights in the coming days.
Thus against the backdrop of all these claims and counter-claims with the trial show also running aground, uncertainty hangs in the air over the formal inauguration of the hot air balloon show at the same venue on Saturday, December 22.