Fifteen years after the devastating plane crash at Mangaluru International Airport that claimed 158 lives, a vital safety enhancement—the “basic safety strip”—remains unbuilt, despite being a top recommendation post-tragedy.
The Air India Express flight IX 812 crash on May 22, 2010, highlighted the urgent need for safety reinforcements at the tabletop runway. In 2015–16, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) requested 32.97 acres to construct a 140-meter-wide buffer zone on both sides of the runway. To date, only one side has the required width.
Efforts to resolve this have stalled. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has repeatedly urged the Karnataka government to allocate the land free of cost, but the state maintains that the responsibility lies with the private airport operator. This deadlock continues to jeopardize flight safety.
The DGCA’s post-crash inquiry strongly emphasized this strip as a priority recommendation. While some progress has been made—including runway resurfacing with asphalt, creation of access roads for emergency use, centerline lighting, and ongoing work on Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)—the basic strip remains unfinished.
Plans to extend the runway from 8,000 to 10,500 feet, requiring 280 acres and ₹1,120 crore, were scaled down due to cost and later shelved. The current plan is limited to just 32.97 acres, still pending approval.
The 2010 crash, caused by pilot error, remains one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Yet, core safety upgrades remain unrealized, exposing passengers to continued risk.
Read Also: