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Memorial park project for crash victims begins

Published On : 14 Jul 2015


Mangaluru (TNN): The park project by New Mangaluru Port (NMP) to perpetuate the memory of victims of IX812 crash has begun.

The work is in progress in Kuloor, where 22 unidentified bodies of the air crash victims were buried. The site is likely to be named '22/5 Park.' "The name conveys what it stands for and most of them know that unidentified victims are buried there," said an official from NMP.

In Phase 1, 90 cents of land will be used for the project at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh.

The initial work will cover basic work like walk paths and fibre fencing. This site is in the custody of New Mangalore Port Trust and is situated between river Gurupur and National Highway 66 on the road leading to Tannir Bhavi.

Deputy commissioner AB Ibrahim said that NMP will be developing it, as the ease cost for the land is high. Sources in NMP said the 90 cents would cost Rs 20 lakh for a 30-year lease.

If it's taken annually, the lease amount may be around Rs 1 lakh a year. The earlier idea of having a memorial on MIA premises was dropped off as some citizens expressed against having such a set up at airport as it may not inspire confidence among its users.

It may be recalled that on May 22, 2010, flight IX812 Air India Express coming from Dubai to Mangaluru overshot the runway after landing and crashed into the valley.

The impact saw the aircraft catch fire killing 158 out of 166 passengers on board. Eight passengers on board had a miraculous escape.

The authorities could identify only 136 out of the 158 bodies and a decision was taken to bury the remaining unidentified bodies in the land belonging to NMP.


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