BP oil spill did $17.2 billion of damage to natural resources, claims study
The 2010 BP oil spill caused damages worth $17.2 billion to the natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a new study released on the seventh anniversary of the largest oil spill in US history. This is the first comprehensive appraisal of the financial value of the natural resources damaged by the 134- million-gallon Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster on April 20, 2010 that killed 11 people. “This is proof that our natural resources have an immense monetary value to citizens of the US who visit the Gulf and to those who simply care that this valuable resource is not damaged,” said Kevin Boyle, professor in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Science in the US. The scientists developed a survey to put a dollar value on the natural resources damaged by the BP Deepwater spill by determining household willingness to pay for measures that would prevent similar damages should a spill of the same magnitude happen in the future. Survey information included descriptions of damaged beaches, marshes, animals, fish, and coral. On top of estimating the impact of the spill, the $17.2 billion represents the benefits to the public to protect against damages that could result from a future oil spill in the Gulf of a similar magnitude. In May 2010, one month after the spill, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned a group of 18 researchers to put a dollar value on the natural resources damaged by the BP Deepwater spill. To estimate Gulf Coast resource values, researchers created a scenario in which people were told that they could have a role in mitigating future damages by effectively paying for a prevention programme. Final analysis showed that the average household was willing to pay $153 for a prevention programme. This rate was then multiplied by the number of households sampled to get the final valuation of $17.2 billion. Last year, the oil and gas firm BP agreed to pay over $20 billion to the American government as damages over the oil spill. “The results were eye-opening in that we could tell how much people really value marine resources and ecosystems,” said Boyle. “And even more meaningful because we did additional analysis that proved the legitimacy of oft-criticised values for environmental resources,” he said. The project team administered surveys to a large random sample of American adults nation-wide after three years of survey development. The first round of surveys was administered face-to-face with trained interviewers while the remaining surveys were completed via mail. Survey participants were informed of pre- and post-spill conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and what caused the oil spill. They were then told about a prevention programme, which can be viewed as 100 per cent effective insurance against future spill damages, and that another spill would occur in the next 15 years. With this information, participants were asked to vote for or against the programme, which would impose a one-time tax on their household. “Our estimate can guide policy makers and the oil industry in determining not only how much should be spent on restoration efforts for the Deepwater spill, but also how much should be invested to protect against damages that could result from future oil spills,” said Boyle. Kendall Langford Authentic Jersey
Jayant Sinha conducts aerial survey of Navi Mumbai International Airport site
Union Minsiter of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha conducted an aerial survey of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) site Wednesday during his visit to Mumbai. During his tour, he reviewed the progress of work and promised speedy redressal on issues delaying the project. On Wednesday, Sinha visited TajSATS office — the catering service of the national carrier Air India — for a review. Later, he conducted a heli-survey of the NMIA site followed by a tour of the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the nodal agency for the airport project. “Sinha conducted a helicopter survey of the airport to identify obstacles around the area. He later reviewed the status of works and got an update on clearances required for completing the work at the central level. He guaranteed quick redressal of the problems,” a senior CIDCO official said. The airport awaits a stage II environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which would allow the agency to begin work on the construction. Other technical clearances for constructing high voltage line and making steel overbridges are also awaited. Shaq Mason Authentic Jersey
In a country of VIP worshippers, Air India shows some spine
“Every Indian is special,” said prime minister Narendra Modi on April 19, as his government banned the use of red beacons on official cars. “Every Indian is a VIP,” Modi insisted, perhaps signalling an appetite to crack down on India’s pervasive VIP (very important person) culture. For long, most Indians have been familiar with the unwritten rule that in the world’s largest democracy some are more equal than others, especially if they are law-makers. So, most instances of misbehaviour by the powerful are simply brushed under the carpet. However, in recent weeks, and even before Modi’s assertion, there’s been staunch defiance of such high-handedness from an unexpected quarter: Air India. India’s flag carrier has reportedly written to the Delhi police, asking why no action has been taken against Shiv Sena member of parliament (MP) Ravindra Gaikwad, who physically assaulted an airline staffer on March 23. “The airline is understood to have said that the morale of the employees is being impacted as no action has been initiated against the MP despite nearly a month after the incident,” the Press Trust of India reported. The airline has reasons to be aggrieved. Gaikwad first beat up an Air India staffer for no reason, then shamelessly bragged about it, and finally just refused to apologise. For all the prime minister’s recent insistence on the common man’s importance, there was barely a reprimand from the government—even after other Shiv Sena MPs behaved indecorously towards aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in parliament. Instead, it was Air India, the perennially beleaguered national carrier, that showed much-needed spine, and provided a playbook of sorts to deal with bratty politicians. Without delay, the assaulted staffer went straight to the cops and filed a first information report (FIR) against Gaikwad. Alongside, Air India launched its principal act of protest (not likely without the government’s tacit support), which was to simply not let Gaikwad fly on its aircraft. The Federation of Indian Airlines, which represents all major private carriers, also enforced an embargo, effectively grounding the MP. Gaikwad tried and tried to book a ticket, especially on Air India, but nothing came of it. Colton Parayko Authentic Jersey
Domestic air passenger traffic grows 18% in March
Passengers carried by domestic airlines during the month of March was higher than the same period last year registering a growth of 18.59%. “During Jan-March 2017 were 272.79 lakhs as against 230.03 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 18.59%,” DGCA report said on Thursday. The total number of passengers in the month of March alone amounted to 90.46 lakh. In February the passenger count was 86.55 lakh. However the passenger load factor (PLF) in the month of March, the report said had declined slightly when compared to previous month, due to lean period. SpiceJet recorded the highest PLF of 93.7% as opposed to 91.4% in February 2017. Overall cancellation rate of scheduled domestic airlines for the month was 0.41% with the highest cancellations being recorded by Air Carnival at 9.68%. Brock Osweiler Jersey
4 key private airports need Rs 27,000 crore to expand capacity: Crisil
Four major private airports in the country will require an investment of Rs 27,000 crore in expanding the existing capacity, which has reached near optimum level, by 2021, a report said today. The four private airports — New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru — cater to nearly 55 per cent of the country’s total air traffic. These airports are operating at near-full capacity and will need to spend heavily on expansion through 2021, said the report by ratings firm Crisil. “Because of surging footfalls and high capacity utilisation of over 90 per cent, we estimate the four airports would need to invest Rs 27,000 crore for expansion,” Crisil Ratings President Gurpreet Chhatwal said. Yet, their credit quality will remain healthy because of business model strength backed by robust traffic growth and predictable cash flows under a regulated tariff framework, the rating outfit said. According to the firm, air passenger traffic in the country grew 20 per cent in the last fiscal which was a big leap over the sedate 9 per cent average seen since 2011. Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports have clocked even faster growth of over 24 per cent, the report said, adding rising private consumption and healthy economic growth would continue to provide tailwind to traffic growth at airports. Brandin Cooks Jersey
Soon a flight every 37 seconds would be possible from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Here’s how!
Soon, a flight every 37 seconds would be possible from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. There is a constant increase in the passenger traffic at IGIA so the authorities are mulling to increase the number of aircraft movements by over 40% per hour in three years. Currently, there are around 67 aircraft movements per hour at the airport under the summer schedule. This number is proposed to be increased to 95. This means that every 37 seconds a flight would be possible from IGIA. MoS Aviation Jayant Sinha said, there is a “strong working hypothesis” to increase the aircraft movements at the aerodrome, after discussions with stakeholders concerned on increasing the overall capacity at IGIA. A takeoff or landing is considered as one aircraft movement. “We can expand it (aircraft movements) to 95 movements per hour in next two to three years… We think it is entirely feasible,” Sinha said, adding that it can be done only with very close collaboration between all the stakeholders, including air traffic controllers, airport, and airlines. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation also noted that once the airside capacity is increased, then passenger handling capacity can go to 90 million from the current level of 60 million per year. Not just this, a flight operations committee would be set up to look into various issues related to the airport and the panel would hold a meeting every month. Noting that the master plan for the Delhi airport is being re-evaluated, Sinha said UK-based NATS has been examining on how to increase airside capacity in the next two to three years. Airside capacity refers to takeoffs and landings that an airport can handle. NATS provides air traffic control services. “NATS analysis is a strong working hypothesis. It is not a final scientific conclusion. “There will be several months more of very detailed technical analysis, including simulations using the proprietary software to come to a conclusion on exactly how many movements are possible and by when” the minister said. Against the backdrop of differences between the Delhi airport operator and airlines over proposed shifting of operations to T2, Sinha said planning for increasing terminal capacity depends on airside capacity. An official release said that by the end of this year, the airside capacity is expected to rise by 10 per cent, with around 72 to 73 movements per hour. There are two operational terminals at the airport here — T1 and T3 — while T2 construction is over but flights are yet to start operating from there. While T1 has a rated capacity to 20 million passengers a year, the number of passengers passing through that terminal is around 24 million. Joe Pavelski Jersey
Beijing keen on Delhi’s participation in infra meet
Though PM Narendra Modi is not expected to attend the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing next month, India will send his representative to the summit, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi claimed on Tuesday . “India will have a representative. We welcome the Indian representative as well as members of the business and finance community to take part in the summit,“ he said. China is keen to see India participating in the event because it will add to the credibility of the Belt and Road programme. New Delhi, however, has not confirmed it participation in the May 14-15 event. Attending the summit would mean that India is softening its stance on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of the One Belt, One Road programme. India has objected to the fact that passes the corridor through a disputed area in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India wants a clear statement from China that the corridor would not affect Indian claim over the Kashmir areas under Pakistan’s control, but Wang indicated that Beijing will not budge from its stance on the CPEC. “ As for disputes in Kashmir, China’s position has remained unchanged. The CPEC has no relationship with the dispute in certain regions. I want to reaffirm this to our Indian friends,“ he said at a press conference in Beijing. “I want to mention that the CPEC is economic, and for the purpose of serving economic cooperation and development.It has no direct link with political or border disputes,“ Wang Yi said. India, which is weighing the pros and cons of participating in the Forum, is expected to announce a formal decision soon. He also claimed that it is China which is planning the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor though many believe that the initiative came from New Delhi. “India is taking part in this initiative in its own way .For example, we have the Bangladesh China India Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor which is one of the major economic corridors China is planning with neighbouring countries. India is part of that with Bangladesh and Myanmar.“ Denis Savard Authentic Jersey
Long waits at toll gates defeat purpose of express ways
Almost all toll plazas in and around Bengaluru make motorists wait in long queues defeating their very objective of easing traffic and saving time for motorists. The Navayuga Devanahalli toll plaza, on the way to the Kempe Gowda International Airport, has reached the saturation point. The 14 toll-collection booths are just not enough, especially during peak hours. Those maintaining the roads say there is no more space to add more toll-collection booths.Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway’s VV Raman said, “We even separated highway vehicles from those going to the airport but things have not changed.“ The price of land on either side of the toll plaza has skyrocketed, he pointed out. According to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), a sixlane highway should have 36 toll booths while a four-lane highway should have 26 toll booths. None of the toll plazas which are run by the road builders are following the rule. The situation in Nelamangala, Hosur Road, Hoskote and various toll plazas on NICE road are no different. Anchi Chowdappa, the man in charge of the BangaloreNelamangala Toll Plaza (also run by Navayuga), admits that 15 minutes are wasted in the pileup. “We wrote to the state government four times to give us land to add toll booths. But, it is still under consideration.“ He pointed out that one of the eight booths was under maintenance while one was equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID).Only six booths were functioning. The NHAI introduced RFID last year but only one toll booth in each plaza is equipped with an RFID reader. In these booths, motorists need not stop. The RFID system tag works like a prepaid card and the toll is automatically deducted. Officials point out that the lack of awareness regarding RFID is the problem. Apparently , only 5% motorists -mainly interstate trucks -use it. There will be more RFIDreading booths if awareness goes up, they say . NS Rama, CEO, the Electronic City Industrial Township Authority (Elcita), pointed out that given the high traffic into the technology hub, there were only two toll booths. NICE’s MD Ashok Kheny said technology upgradation and increase in the number of booths at all toll plazas on the NICE corridor will be carried out in the next two months. New York Islanders Authentic Jersey
Jet Airways local pilots allege ‘step-motherly’ treatment
Jet Airways is treating Indian pilots in a “step-motherly” manner compared to their expat counterparts on the rolls, pilots’ body NAG on Wednesday claimed. Demanding swift action against alleged racist approach of the expat pilots at the airline, the National Aviators Guild (NAG) called for disallowing such pilots in the cockpit. The grouping’s statement follows its direction on April 15 asking its members not to fly with the expats in the cockpit after one of the foreign pilots allegedly assaulted a trainer in Bengaluru recently. Jet Airways has some 60 expat commanders, who mainly operate its Boeing 737 and ATR fleet. In a strongly-worded statement, NAG said disparaging, inappropriate and racist comments allegedly made by certain expat pilots cannot be taken lightly. “This is in addition to the verbal and physical abuse of a senior trainer by an expat pilot employed by the airline,” NAG claimed. “The management has for a very long time treated the Indian employees, including the pilots, in a step—motherly manner and has disregarded the legitimate expectations of its employees to be treated fairly, reasonably and in a just manner.” A Jet Airways spokesperson did not offer any immediate comment on the NAG allegations when PTI sought a response. The guild claims representation of nearly 1,000 pilots of the total around 1,500 pilots in Jet Airways. The Naresh Goyal-promoted airline had witnessed a 5-day long strike by NAG in September 2009 over the issue of forming the union. According to the statement, Jet Airways management needs to respond swiftly and ought to issue a diktat to said expat pilots to apologise or else leave forthwith. Stressing on the need for collective action, NAG said the airlines reputation cannot be “tarnished by racist and hateful comments made by certain misguided foreign nationals“. On April 15, NAG has issued a directive to all its members not to fly with the foreign pilots in the airline from May 1. Ken Crawley Authentic Jersey
Kerala To Convene Meeting Of Airlines For Kannur Airport
The Kerala government will convene a meeting of various airlines to discuss the launch of their services to and from the upcoming Kannur International Airport, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Mr Vijayan met Union minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju and apprised him on the progress of the work of the airport, which is expected to be operational from September this year. “DGCA clearance for the new airport, arranging CISF security, setting up of emigration facilities etc will have to be arranged at the Kannur airport. For this purpose, the Civil Aviation Secretary will convene a meeting of the Central agencies concerned,” the Chief Minister said in his Facebook post. He also requested the Union Minister to allot more international flights to the upcoming airport in the state. The Rs. 1,892 crore-airport is built in 2,000 acres in northern Kerala. The Kerala Chief Minister also said that the state will speed up the process of acquisition of land for the Calicut International Airport, which was partially shut down in May 2015 for strengthening and resurfacing runway work. “DGCA team will visit the Calicut Airport to inspect the feasibility to operate wide-bodied aircraft from there,” he said. Mr Vijayan also informed the Centre that the state will acquire 18 acres of land for the development of Trivandrum International Airport. Zach Miller Authentic Jersey