Security has been tightened at six airports in South India after finding a letter threatening bomb attacks.
The letter warned that "al Qaeda terrorists" had planted "modern explosives" at Chennai airport, three others airports in Tamil Nadu and some airports in Kerala.
Titled "Allah Osama", it also warned of car bombs and was found on Wednesday by an airport worker at a counter at Thiruchirapally airport in Tamil Nadu.
"We are on high alert," said A Subramaniyam, a top Tamil Nadu police intelligence officer.
"We cannot take such threats lightly in the prevailing sensitive situation across the globe," he said.
Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the letter was "obviously a hoax but we will take no chances".
No Muslim would combine Allah's name with a man's name like Osama, he said, and the failure to name the airports in Kerala also undermined the letter's credibility.
PTI reports the letter said about 10 al-Qaeda terrorists will break the security cordon and carry out attacks at airports or aircraft.
It said there would be serial bomb blasts at the Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thiruvanthapuram airports.
Karnataka Director General of Police BS Sial said that the letter was addressed to the Airport Director and was found by a member of the staff in a room that was under construction for the installation of an ATM machine.
The letter didn't mention Bangalore airport, but security has been heightened there as well. Passengers are being frisked at departure terminals of all airports and even vehicles are being searched.
"Bangalore is a hyper-sensitive airport. We've always had security here, bu now we have enhanced it. However, none of the passengers will be able to see the changes or will be subjected to any inconvenience. We will enhance surveillance and screen all baggage and people coming in and out of the airport," said Director of Bangalore airport Narendra Kaushal.
All airlines operating in south India have been asked to take anti-hijacking measures and make frisking more stringent. All necessary security measures have been put in place at all the airports to thwart any attack, officials said.
The measures included secondary ladder point check and thorough baggage check besides increased security at peripheral areas.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered that all security systems should be in place. Air passengers bound to and from southern cities have been asked to report early at airports.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken up the matter seriously and held a series of meetings with officials of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Home Ministry and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for reviewing the situation.
Source: IBN LIVE
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Textile mills seek announced power cuts to maintain production
The Southern India Mills' Association has sought announced power cuts so that production is not affected in textile mills.
S.V. Arumugam, its chairman, said that "frequent and unscheduled" power interruptions now affected the quality of yarn made in the mills. The units would be prepared if the power cuts were announced earlier.
Further, spinning mills were bulk consumers of power and he appealed to the State Government for concession in power costs to help the mills bring down their production cost.
Though a number of units had gone in for wind energy, Mr. Arumugam said grid availability should be improved to absorb the energy generated from the windmills.
Investment
Speaking at an interactive session on technical textiles and manpower training held here recently, he said the textile-processing park proposed by the association at Cuddalore aimed at about Rs. 750 crore investment.
The project also looked at marine discharge of treated effluents from the units.
Mr. Arumugam appealed to the State Government for speedy environmental clearances so that the project could take off at the earliest.
Vision document
The vision document prepared to synchronise with the Eleventh Plan envisaged investment of about Rs. 50,000 crore in textiles in Tamil Nadu in another five years.
This would also generate about five million jobs (direct and indirect).
"We look forward to the Government for some assistance to achieve this," he said.
The State produced about five lakh bales of cotton annually though the mills consumed about 40 per cent of the total need of the textile sector in the country.
Hence, efforts were imperative to improve cotton production and productivity, he said.
All the stakeholders involved should focus on research and development with regard to the Extra Long Staple variety of cotton that was essential for good quality output.
The mills were importing most of their requirements of this variety of cotton and this had led to a situation in which they were "saddled with lot of duties."
Source: The Hindu
S.V. Arumugam, its chairman, said that "frequent and unscheduled" power interruptions now affected the quality of yarn made in the mills. The units would be prepared if the power cuts were announced earlier.
Further, spinning mills were bulk consumers of power and he appealed to the State Government for concession in power costs to help the mills bring down their production cost.
Though a number of units had gone in for wind energy, Mr. Arumugam said grid availability should be improved to absorb the energy generated from the windmills.
Investment
Speaking at an interactive session on technical textiles and manpower training held here recently, he said the textile-processing park proposed by the association at Cuddalore aimed at about Rs. 750 crore investment.
The project also looked at marine discharge of treated effluents from the units.
Mr. Arumugam appealed to the State Government for speedy environmental clearances so that the project could take off at the earliest.
Vision document
The vision document prepared to synchronise with the Eleventh Plan envisaged investment of about Rs. 50,000 crore in textiles in Tamil Nadu in another five years.
This would also generate about five million jobs (direct and indirect).
"We look forward to the Government for some assistance to achieve this," he said.
The State produced about five lakh bales of cotton annually though the mills consumed about 40 per cent of the total need of the textile sector in the country.
Hence, efforts were imperative to improve cotton production and productivity, he said.
All the stakeholders involved should focus on research and development with regard to the Extra Long Staple variety of cotton that was essential for good quality output.
The mills were importing most of their requirements of this variety of cotton and this had led to a situation in which they were "saddled with lot of duties."
Source: The Hindu
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Airport plans for Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi !!!
With Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday urging the Centre to implement six major projects in the State, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured him that the "welfare and prosperity of the people of Tamil Nadu are very close to the heart of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government."
Dr. Singh announced that the Centre would soon begin work on the modernisation of Chennai airport and plans were being made for the development of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi airports.
After laying foundation stone for the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, he said, "for the past two and a half years, we have been working hard to take this State to new levels of development." The UPA Government would create a positive environment for the growth of the State, the Prime Minister said.
The Railways had been asked to examine the feasibility of extending the dedicated freight corridor to the south, including Tamil Nadu, Dr. Singh said, adding that the Centre would support the efforts to develop Colachel Port into a major container port once the feasibility report was completed.
"We will also support the desalination project for Chennai which is our solemn commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme," he said.
Detroit of India
Describing Tamil Nadu as the "Detroit of India," he said the setting up of the GARC as part of the comprehensive National Automotive Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project would push the automobile industry in the State and in the southern region to new frontiers. It would also enable the automobile and auto components industry to achieve global standards, he said.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said though the country faced many challenges, they could be successfully met under the leadership of the Prime Minister, endeavour of his Ministerial colleagues and guidance of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He urged Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi to sanction new schemes such as setting up of a major port in Colachel, implementing common effluent treatment projects, extending financial assistance for the desalination plant, modernising the Chennai airport, introducing bullet train service between Chennai and Madurai and Chennai and Coimbatore and ensuring successful implementation of the project announcing Tamil as a classical language, besides giving annual awards named after Tamil sages `Tholkappiar" and "Valluvar."
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu earmarked 304 acres of land for the GARC project, which would convert Chennai into an automobile hub. The GARC would provide employment to 3,000 persons, mostly locals, he said.
Auto sector potential
Mr. Karunanidhi said the State had the potential to record six to seven-fold increase in the auto sector output and the projected size of the industry was $15 billion to $20 billion by 2015, he said.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev and Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Kanti Singh highlighted the significance of the GARC.
Source: The Hindu
Dr. Singh announced that the Centre would soon begin work on the modernisation of Chennai airport and plans were being made for the development of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi airports.
After laying foundation stone for the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, he said, "for the past two and a half years, we have been working hard to take this State to new levels of development." The UPA Government would create a positive environment for the growth of the State, the Prime Minister said.
The Railways had been asked to examine the feasibility of extending the dedicated freight corridor to the south, including Tamil Nadu, Dr. Singh said, adding that the Centre would support the efforts to develop Colachel Port into a major container port once the feasibility report was completed.
"We will also support the desalination project for Chennai which is our solemn commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme," he said.
Detroit of India
Describing Tamil Nadu as the "Detroit of India," he said the setting up of the GARC as part of the comprehensive National Automotive Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project would push the automobile industry in the State and in the southern region to new frontiers. It would also enable the automobile and auto components industry to achieve global standards, he said.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said though the country faced many challenges, they could be successfully met under the leadership of the Prime Minister, endeavour of his Ministerial colleagues and guidance of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He urged Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi to sanction new schemes such as setting up of a major port in Colachel, implementing common effluent treatment projects, extending financial assistance for the desalination plant, modernising the Chennai airport, introducing bullet train service between Chennai and Madurai and Chennai and Coimbatore and ensuring successful implementation of the project announcing Tamil as a classical language, besides giving annual awards named after Tamil sages `Tholkappiar" and "Valluvar."
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu earmarked 304 acres of land for the GARC project, which would convert Chennai into an automobile hub. The GARC would provide employment to 3,000 persons, mostly locals, he said.
Auto sector potential
Mr. Karunanidhi said the State had the potential to record six to seven-fold increase in the auto sector output and the projected size of the industry was $15 billion to $20 billion by 2015, he said.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev and Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Kanti Singh highlighted the significance of the GARC.
Source: The Hindu
Monday, November 06, 2006
Railway overbridge in Ondipudur delayed
Terming the functioning of the Railways as the 'worst and irresponsbile,' CPI MP K Subbarayan today said the 'lethargic attitude' of officials in Palghat Division was the main reason for the delay in completion of railway overbridge in Ondipudur in the city.
Despite an assurance from the ministers concerned to complete the project, scheduled to be ready two years ago, by Pongal in January last and again by September last, the officials were dragging their feet over the issue, he alleged.
As the people were suffering for long, he has decided to join the agitation planned by a voluntary organisation formed by local citizens in the city, on November 20, he said.
The mode of the agitation--road roko or rail roko-- would be decided after discussion with the organisation, he said.
He also blamed the railway management for keeping pending about 30 bridge projects in Tamil Nadu.
On utilisation of MPLAD Fund, he said that the project officer in the district has given some projects this year to private contractors, despite his written request to provide the works only to the Government-owned 'Kattida Mayyam'.
He expressed fears about the quality of works being carried out by private contractors, as 'most of them are working on percentage' and said that he would meet the District Collector to clarify on the issue.
Source: New Kerala
Despite an assurance from the ministers concerned to complete the project, scheduled to be ready two years ago, by Pongal in January last and again by September last, the officials were dragging their feet over the issue, he alleged.
As the people were suffering for long, he has decided to join the agitation planned by a voluntary organisation formed by local citizens in the city, on November 20, he said.
The mode of the agitation--road roko or rail roko-- would be decided after discussion with the organisation, he said.
He also blamed the railway management for keeping pending about 30 bridge projects in Tamil Nadu.
On utilisation of MPLAD Fund, he said that the project officer in the district has given some projects this year to private contractors, despite his written request to provide the works only to the Government-owned 'Kattida Mayyam'.
He expressed fears about the quality of works being carried out by private contractors, as 'most of them are working on percentage' and said that he would meet the District Collector to clarify on the issue.
Source: New Kerala
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Paramount Airways extends network
With the induction of another jet taking the fleet strength to five, Chennai-based Paramount Airways will offer 48 daily flights, covering most of the important towns in the South. It will carry over 3,500 passengers.
Expansion plans
Unveiling the expansion plans at a news conference here on Friday coinciding with the completion of one-year of operations, M. Thiagarajan, managing director, said the airline would introduce a fourth service between Hyderabad and Bangalore, a mid-day flight between Chennai and Coimbatore and an early morning flight from Chennai to Kochi from November 8.
Apart from linking Coimbatore and Hyderabad, the airline will introduce a new direct flight between Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram from November 18. The other new routes are: Hyderabad-Bangalore, Hyderabad-Vishakapatnam, Bangalore-Hyderabad-
Coimbatore-Bangalore.
Mr. Thiagarajan said the airlines would have 20 jets by 2009.
Negotiations were in an advanced stage for inking agreements with several international airlines besides opening up ticketing offices in Singapore and other Southeast Asian points.
Source: The Hindu
Expansion plans
Unveiling the expansion plans at a news conference here on Friday coinciding with the completion of one-year of operations, M. Thiagarajan, managing director, said the airline would introduce a fourth service between Hyderabad and Bangalore, a mid-day flight between Chennai and Coimbatore and an early morning flight from Chennai to Kochi from November 8.
Apart from linking Coimbatore and Hyderabad, the airline will introduce a new direct flight between Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram from November 18. The other new routes are: Hyderabad-Bangalore, Hyderabad-Vishakapatnam, Bangalore-Hyderabad-
Coimbatore-Bangalore.
Mr. Thiagarajan said the airlines would have 20 jets by 2009.
Negotiations were in an advanced stage for inking agreements with several international airlines besides opening up ticketing offices in Singapore and other Southeast Asian points.
Source: The Hindu
STPI policy will be extended: Maran
The policy on Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) will be extended and the Information Technology Ministry is for continuing its support to IT companies through STPIs, said the Union Minister for Information Technology, Mr Dayanidhi Maran. In an informal interaction with presspersons , Mr Maran said the STPI policy has a proven track record and the Government was for extending it. "I am a supporter of STPI," he said.
STPI is an autonomous society under the Ministry, under which, the information technology companies get fiscal benefits, infrastructure support and facilitated clearance of paper work. As of now the industry's concern is that these benefits will cease with the scheme expected to end in 2009. Mr Maran said that a Cabinet note is being prepared to extend the facilities and concessions.
Mr Maran had earlier met the officials of IBM, who had evinced interest in expanding operations in India. Apart from Chennai, the company is looking at a presence in Coimbatore.
Companies have evinced interest in Tiruchi and Madurai also.
The Minister felt that real estate developers were a stumbling block in the development of industries. At the first sign of information technology, companies coming in the real estate booms, land prices soar and stop development, he said.
Also in the pipeline is a policy for attracting investments in semiconductor technology and industry. The Information Technology Ministry has discussed the issue with the Finance Ministry on this and the `decks have been cleared.'
This would pave the way for the start of the $3-billion SemIndia project for manufacturing semiconductors. The decks have been cleared for the implementation of the project, which is to come up in Andhra Pradesh. The aim was to put together a support package through a `SEZ-plus' approach, he said.
Source money control
STPI is an autonomous society under the Ministry, under which, the information technology companies get fiscal benefits, infrastructure support and facilitated clearance of paper work. As of now the industry's concern is that these benefits will cease with the scheme expected to end in 2009. Mr Maran said that a Cabinet note is being prepared to extend the facilities and concessions.
Mr Maran had earlier met the officials of IBM, who had evinced interest in expanding operations in India. Apart from Chennai, the company is looking at a presence in Coimbatore.
Companies have evinced interest in Tiruchi and Madurai also.
The Minister felt that real estate developers were a stumbling block in the development of industries. At the first sign of information technology, companies coming in the real estate booms, land prices soar and stop development, he said.
Also in the pipeline is a policy for attracting investments in semiconductor technology and industry. The Information Technology Ministry has discussed the issue with the Finance Ministry on this and the `decks have been cleared.'
This would pave the way for the start of the $3-billion SemIndia project for manufacturing semiconductors. The decks have been cleared for the implementation of the project, which is to come up in Andhra Pradesh. The aim was to put together a support package through a `SEZ-plus' approach, he said.
Source money control
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