The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Build new airport

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Monday, Sep 01, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Build new airport

INS Dega is controlled by the Indian Navy though it was developed as Visakhapatnam airport. It is evident that the Indian Navy, for strategic reasons, is against full time use of the airport for civil aviation. The city planners should have known this years ago. What wisdom is there in holding on to Navy’s property and encroaching on Navy’s activity? Why don’t the city planners develop a new airport elsewhere? INS Dega is shared with civil aviation flights now but in a military emergency, the airport will be under full time control of the navy affecting civil aviation flights. The air passengers will be helpless in such a situation. Even now, it is not too late to build a new independent airport .

P. Sitapathi Rao Visakhapatnam

Location of Transco meters

The Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Ltd., has launched a programme of shifting of electricity meters of domestic services to outside the houses indiscriminately on a war-footing through contractors. This action is contrary to the provisions of Electricity Act 2003 and general terms and conditions of supply (GTCS) approved by AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), Hyderabad. The clause 7.1.4 of GTCS states that “the meter box should be fixed at a height of not more than about five feet in the first room/verandah etc., located at the entrance of the building to enable easy reading of meter. In such cases, it shall be the consumer’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the meter.”

The sub sections b, c and d of section 135 of the Act and clauses 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 of Regulation 5 of 2005 of APERC also state that the consumer is responsible for the safety of meter in respect of damages, and unauthorized use of electricity, etc. It is not understood how the meter installed outside the building could be protected by the consumer from miscreants and thieves . There is every possibility that the meter would be damaged, tampered with or stolen in the absence of residents. This cannot be said to be consumer-friendly. I request the authorities concerned to stop shifting of meters and reinstate the meters already shifted as per the rules.

RHN Sarma Visakhapatnam

Provide bus concession

The Central Government has provided 50 per cent concession on train fare for senior citizens and the State Government is giving Rs.200 a month as pension for them. But with this meagre amount, the senior citizens are not able to pay the bus fare for attending hospitals and other places. In view of this, the State Government should provide concession in bus fare to them.

V.S. Haridas Visakhapatnam

Worthy of emulation

The Commissioner of Tirupati Municipal Corporation recently created history by entering a sewage pit in a bid to understand the problems and boost the morale of sanitation workers. Being an IAS officer, he certainly displayed extraordinary zeal and he should be thanked for the act which is worth of emulation.

KC Mohanti Visakhapatnam

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