The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

BRICS Summit Boost to India-Iran Ties

Context & Introduction

• 16th BRICS Summit (Kazan, Oct 2024): Notable India-Iran bilateral meeting amid efforts to strengthen ties.
• Iran, facing Gaza crisis, seeks Indian support for de-escalation; India favors an early ceasefire.

Meeting Overview & Key Points

• First meeting between PM Modi and Iranian President Pezeshkian.
• Recognized untapped potential in relations; highlighted India’s role in multilateral support (SCO, BRICS) and conflict resolution.
• Discussed cooperation in areas like Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Strategic Importance of Iran for India

• Beyond Chabahar: Iran’s oil reserves (209 billion barrels) and natural gas (33,988 billion cubic meters) make it crucial for energy needs.
• Despite sanctions, Iran’s crude production remains high (3.4 million bpd, May 2024).

Options for Closer Partnership

1. Chabahar Port
   • Signed 10-year operational deal; strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz, providing secure trade routes.
   • Infrastructure Development: Chabahar-Zahedan railway (700 km), connectivity to Afghanistan.
2. Energy Cooperation
   • Potential to resume oil and gas imports (formerly 12% of India’s needs).
   • Possible Iran-Oman-India gas pipeline could enhance energy security.
3. Military & Defense Cooperation
   • Scope for collaboration in areas like armed drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
   • Joint counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing could strengthen regional security.
   • Naval cooperation: port calls, logistical facilities in the Persian Gulf.

Way Forward: Strategic Diplomacy

• Strategic Engagement: India’s balanced approach (e.g., Iran-Israel, Russia-Ukraine) supports autonomy and independence in foreign policy.
• Challenges: Need to avoid setbacks from stray, inflammatory comments (e.g., Iran’s Supreme Leader’s recent statement on Indian Muslims).

Conclusion

• Bilateral relationship holds significant potential; recent BRICS Summit may reignite ties.
• Stronger India-Iran partnership essential for mutual benefits and regional stability.

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Airports Where Pilots Could Fear to Land: Issues at Doha and Chennai Airports

Context & Introduction

• Runway Safety Issues: Concerns at Chennai airport’s expansion and Parandur’s greenfield project; focus on structural safety to avoid landing risks.
• Recent Incident: Qatar Airways Boeing 787 faced a collapse in Doha after its main landing gear sank due to structural failure in the ramp area. Incident highlights dangers of compromised infrastructure.

Structural Concerns in Doha Airport

• Construction Issues: Doha airport was built on reclaimed land with recommendations to fully concrete the area due to weak soil. However, cost-cutting led to a cheaper alternative.
• Comparison: Reclaimed land airports like Singapore’s Changi and Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok haven’t faced similar issues, suggesting that compromises in Doha’s construction might be at fault.
• Qatar’s Response: Likely to address deficiencies, ensuring no future risks in airport operations.

Chennai Airport Expansion Concerns

• Original Plan (2007): Expansion involved constructing a parallel runway and extending a secondary runway across the Adyar river, led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
• Soil Suitability: Initial soil testing by L&T revealed weak soil unsuitable for the runway, resulting in the cancellation of the parallel runway.
• Project Changes: After L&T’s withdrawal, Airports Authority of India (AAI) awarded the project to Consolidated Construction Consortium Limited (CCCL), an inexperienced firm in infrastructure projects.

Safety Violations and Environmental Concerns

• Runway Bridge Design: Environmental Clearance in 2007 specified that bridge support pillars should be 1.2m in diameter and 1.4m above flood level. However, constructed pillars were thinner (0.86m diameter) and below required height.
• 2015 Flood Impact: Structural shortcomings obstructed Adyar river flow during 2015 floods, resulting in water overflow affecting nearby infrastructure, including Coast Guard hangars and private aircraft.
• Environmentalists’ Concerns: Blamed not only on water release from Chembarambakkam Lake but also on water flow from other western regions. Recent floods in 2021 and 2023 stress the need for flood-resilient designs in Chennai’s airport expansion.

Concerns for Future Operations

• Runway Standards: Chennai’s runways, at 45m width, fall short of the 60m required for Code F aircraft (such as the A380) as per International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
• Question of Sustainability: AAI’s claim of A380 operations raises doubts as current runways are unsuitable for widebody aircraft, showing a gap in meeting international standards.

Parandur Greenfield Airport Project

• Land Acquisition: Plan involves acquiring 4,000 acres rich in waterbodies, necessitating extensive soil concreting for stability.
• Flooding Risks: Covering waterbody-rich land with concrete may disrupt natural drainage, raising flood risks, especially given unpredictable climate patterns.
• Economic Viability: Concerns that the project may mirror the setbacks in Chennai, with potential waste of public funds in a flood-prone area, calling for thorough cost-benefit evaluations.

Aircraft Impact and Structural Demands

• Structural Pressures: Designing runways for large aircraft requires building to withstand strong impact and twisting forces. For example, a 2g landing for a 400-ton aircraft exerts 800 tons of force on the wheels.
• Crosswind Landings: Wheels may land at an angle, applying additional twisting forces to runway surfaces, making stable ground essential for safety.
• Specialized Engineering Required: Expertise in soil and structural engineering is critical, especially with recent instances of infrastructure failures across India. Public safety must remain a priority.

Conclusion

• Shift in South India’s Aviation Hub: Bengaluru has emerged as the primary aviation gateway to the south, a position Chennai once held but lost due to poor planning and execution.
• Passenger Projections: Tamil Nadu’s projected air passenger numbers haven’t met 40% of expectations, indicating that planning has not matched reality. Inadequate infrastructure in a flood-prone area highlights risks in Chennai’s and Parandur’s expansion projects, reinforcing the need for rigorous safety and environmental standards.