Mangalore, May 25 (DHNS) : A memorial must be constructed with the names of all those who were killed in ill-fated IX-812 Boeing 737-800 that crashed into the valley off the runway at Mangalore airport, said former MP Janardhan Poojary.
Addressing a press meet here on Monday, he said that the compensation amount should be increased and that he has already written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in this regard.
He said the people of coastal district have shown the humanitarian face of the people of the district by taking part in the rescue operations. They have shown the whole world that the people of Dakshina Kannada are united irrespective of caste, creed and religion. People were not bothered about their religion when the rescue operation was being carried out.
Stating that he had written a letter to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel on October 26, 2006 appealing him to expand the existing runway by about 300 metres to facilitate operation of wide-bodied aircrafts from Mangalore airport. The letter also urged to provide provision of appropriate high precision lighting system to help the aircraft to approach and take off from the airport safely at all times and in all weather conditions. The letter had also urged the Minister to establish school for training pilots and night parking facility for aircraft, he added.
He said the State government should provide all the required land for expanding the runway without any delay.