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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengal bureaucrats coach 200 UPSC aspirants, share dos & don'ts
Kolkata: Bureaucrats — from the second most senior to young probationers — on Friday gave valuable tips to the 2025-26 batch aspirants, who have enrolled for the composite course in the state-run Satyendra Nath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre. Senior officials informed 200-odd exam hopefuls about some effective dos and don'ts for taking up UPSC preparations at the course's inaugural session. "Let it be an enjoyable experience. Of course, there is no shortcut to success, but it's not all that difficult," state home secretary Nandini Chakravorty said. She shared how the telly series 'Udaan' had inspired Agarwal, an SNTCSSC alumna and AIR 2 of 2022, said this was no sprint, but a marathon. "If you have a Plan B, you can take the exam without the paralysing fear," the OSD, technical education department, said. SNTCSSC chairman and former state DGP Surajit Kar Purkayastha lauded Bengal UPSC toppers for choosing their home cadre. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "When Alice (Lewis Carroll's protagonist) was at crossroads, she did not know her destination. But you do. That's great understanding," said SNTCSSC's academic advisor, Jyotirmoy Pal Chaudhuri. Meghna Chakravorty, AIR 79 of 2024, advised aspirants to eliminate distractions.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kol flight op concern: AAI flags buildings, hoardings, tall trees
Kolkata: Unauthorised high-rises, water tanks, mobile towers, and lightning arresters are among multiple obstacles flagged by Kolkata airport authorities as threats to flights moving into and out of the city. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In the latest Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) study, which analyses obstacles around an airport that could interfere with flight operations and pose a threat to safety, 377 hazards were identified in the flight path. Of these, 90 obstacles, like light posts, hoardings, and tall trees were removed. However, several other serious obstacles, including buildings with unauthorised floors and tanks that have encroached into the flight path, need to be removed. We submitted a list to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and are awaiting the order," an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said. Of particular concern are high-rise residential buildings that have come up in Narayanpur adjoining the airport, and in Kaikhali and New Town that are directly in the take-off funnel. The issue was discussed in the Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) meeting on May 23, chaired by state home secretary Nandini Chakravorty. Among those present were Bidhannagar police commissioner Mukesh Kumar and representatives from PWD, the urban development department, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), and neighbouring municipalities. The largest type of obstacles identified were buildings — 118 of them. Of these, only 15 cases were addressed by demolishing the floor that encroached on the airspace. "The 103 obstacles still remain, including a site in Kaikhali that was constructed away from the site for which it was granted permission, leading to the infringement," the airport official said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The issue assumes added d urgency in the wake of the plane crash at Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. Though the Dreamliner aircraft lost altitude after take-off due to either engine failure, pilot error, or aerodynamic stalls, the incident has brought the threat from obstacles at Kolkata airport into focus. The OLS study also flagged concern about lightning arresters in Rajarhat and New Town, hoardings near BT College More, and mobile towers in Michaelnagar and New Ba-rrackpore. Even pruning tall trees that impinge into airspace is a challenge, with municipal authorities citing delays in obtaining forest department authorisation. Civic bodies in and around the airport have asked Kolkata airport to provide GPS coordinates for trees marked for pruning. Madhyamgram municipality and Rohanda gram panchayat have removed 52 tall trees. Kolkata: Unauthorised high-rises, water tanks, mobile towers, and lightning arresters are among multiple obstacles flagged by Kolkata airport authorities as threats to flights moving into and out of the city. "In the latest Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) study, which analyses obstacles around an airport that could interfere with flight operations and pose a threat to safety, 377 hazards were identified in the flight path. Of these, 90 obstacles, like light posts, hoardings, and tall trees were removed. However, several other serious obstacles, including buildings with unauthorised floors and tanks that have encroached into the flight path, need to be removed. We submitted a list to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and are awaiting the order," an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said. Of particular concern are high-rise residential buildings that have come up in Narayanpur adjoining the airport, and in Kaikhali and New Town that are directly in the take-off funnel. The issue was discussed in the Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) meeting on May 23, chaired by state home secretary Nandini Chakravorty. Among those present were Bidhannagar police commissioner Mukesh Kumar and representatives from PWD, the urban development department, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), and neighbouring municipalities. The largest type of obstacles identified were buildings — 118 of them. Of these, only 15 cases were addressed by demolishing the floor that encroached on the airspace. "The 103 obstacles still remain, including a site in Kaikhali that was constructed away from the site for which it was granted permission, leading to the infringement," the airport official said. The issue assumes added d urgency in the wake of the plane crash at Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. Though the Dreamliner aircraft lost altitude after take-off due to either engine failure, pilot error, or aerodynamic stalls, the incident has brought the threat from obstacles at Kolkata airport into focus. The OLS study also flagged concern about lightning arresters in Rajarhat and New Town, hoardings near BT College More, and mobile towers in Michaelnagar and New Ba-rrackpore. Even pruning tall trees that impinge into airspace is a challenge, with municipal authorities citing delays in obtaining forest department authorisation. Civic bodies in and around the airport have asked Kolkata airport to provide GPS coordinates for trees marked for pruning. Madhyamgram municipality and Rohanda gram panchayat have removed 52 tall trees.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Commandos storm coach, free ‘flyers' in anti-hijack drill
1 2 3 Kolkata: Commandos stormed an aircraft, overpowered two hijackers and freed 25 passengers and the crew in an hour-long operation at Kolkata airport. Although the hijacking of the flight from Raipur to Guwahati and the anti-hijacking operation was an enactment for a drill to check Kolkata airport's preparedness, the response was real. An ATC message at 10.30 am about a hijack on board Flight ABC of airline XYZ led to airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria convening the aerodrome committee meeting. While state home secretary Nandini Chakravorty joined in person, others who attended included officers from IB, NSG, Eastern Command and Fort William, CISF, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, and key AAI officials. Two-hundred people participated in the exercise. "Captained by a woman pilot, the plane landed at the airport at 10.45 am. It was taken to the isolation bay, where commandos surrounded it. A control room was activated, contact was established with the two hijackers, and negotiations commenced. Officials were outside to brief the media and take care of friends and relatives of passengers held hostage," said an official. An IndiGo passenger coach was used as a mock plane. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Even as the negotiation was underway, a passenger fell ill. The negotiator at the control room managed to convince the terrorists to release the passenger for medical treatment. Once they agreed, an ambulance moved in with commandos posing as medical staff and overpowered the two hijackers. After the passengers were freed, the operation was called off at 11.15 am. Sources said observers were strategically placed around the exercise site to check the response of various agencies to the emergency. A few deficiencies were also noted that will be addressed before the next exercise around six months later. "The simulated exercise was conducted at the airport to test and improve the response capabilities of various security agencies and stakeholders in case a plane is hijacked. The drill simulated real-world scenarios, allowing for the evaluation of response times, communication protocols, and tactical strategies. Measures taken during any eventuality of hijacking were deliberated in a subsequent meeting," an official said. A security agency officer said such drills helped familiarise participants with the SOP. "The drills facilitate better coordination and communication between different agencies, ensuring a unified response. The drill helps identify and address the weakness in the existing security measures. Regular drills contribute to a more robust and vigilant security system, enhancing the safety of flyers and airport staff," he said. The airfield environment management committee was also chaired by the state home secretary, in which multiple issues, including garbage clearance, threat of bird strikes, laser interference in aircraft cockpits, drone activities and drainage issues ahead of the monsoon, were discussed. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
