Kozhikode Crash: Survivors Suffer as Runway Safety Work Still Lags
On August 7, 2018, a tragic incident shook the nation when an Air India Express flight carrying 191 people overshot the runway at Kozhikode airport, resulting in the deaths of 22 people. The crash left many survivors with severe injuries and lasting trauma. Despite the passage of nearly five years, the survivors are still grappling with the physical and emotional scars of the disaster. What’s more concerning is that the long-promised upgrades to the runway’s safety features are yet to be completed.
The incident was attributed to the landing of the aircraft on the wrong part of the runway, resulting in a critical overrun. The investigation revealed that the primary cause of the crash was the shortness of the runway, which was a mere 2,200 meters. This was compounded by the fact that the aircraft had overshot the runway by 1,000 meters, resulting in the destruction of the plane and the loss of lives.
The crash led to a massive outcry, with calls for immediate action to upgrade the runway’s safety features. The government and airport authorities promised to expedite the work on expanding the Runway End Safety Area (RESA), a critical safety upgrade that would prevent such incidents in the future.
The RESA is a crucial safety feature that provides a designated area at the end of the runway where an aircraft can stop in the event of an overrun. The absence of such a feature at Kozhikode airport was a significant contributing factor to the tragedy. The upgrade was expected to include the construction of a new safety area, which would provide a safe buffer zone for aircraft to stop in the event of an overrun.
However, nearly five years after the crash, the work on expanding the RESA is still lagging. The airport authorities have been slow in implementing the upgrade, citing various reasons such as funding issues and environmental concerns. The survivors of the crash are now left to suffer in silence, still reeling from the trauma and injuries inflicted upon them.
The impact of the crash on the survivors has been severe. Many have been left with permanent injuries, including spinal cord injuries, amputations, and severe burns. The psychological trauma of the incident has also taken a toll on the survivors, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The crash has also had a significant impact on the families of the victims. Many have been left to deal with the loss of their loved ones, while others have been forced to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma inflicted upon them.
The delay in implementing the RESA upgrade has also raised concerns about the safety of the airport. The airport is a critical infrastructure that handles thousands of passengers every day, and the absence of a critical safety feature like the RESA puts them at risk.
The government and airport authorities must take immediate action to expedite the work on expanding the RESA. The survivors of the crash deserve justice, and the airport authorities have a responsibility to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
The government must also provide adequate compensation to the survivors and the families of the victims. The compensation must be fair and adequate to help them rebuild their lives and cope with the trauma inflicted upon them.
In conclusion, the Kozhikode crash was a tragic incident that left many survivors with lasting trauma and serious injuries. The delay in implementing the RESA upgrade is unconscionable and raises serious concerns about the safety of the airport. The government and airport authorities must take immediate action to ensure that the upgrade is completed and that the survivors receive the justice they deserve.
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