23 Mini hydro-power projects in Ladakh region

(PTI) Twenty three mini hydro-power projects are coming in Ladakh region, particularly seven such projects in strategic Siachen sector, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah said here today.

"Under the centrally scheme ? Ladakh Renewal Energy Project, 23 mini hydro projects are coming up under three clusters in Ladakh," the Minister for New and Renewable told reporters here during an inspection of the projects."The aim of the Rs 473 crore project is to promote renewal energy to meet the power requirements of Ladakh," he said.

The survey of eight mini hydro projects in Shayok belt, seven in Siachen belt, five in Durbuk block and one each in Chilling and Sumdha villages of Leh block have been completed and preparation for Detailed Project Report of these projects is in progress, he informed.

LCA Tejas squadron to be Operational

The first Tejas squadron to receive its Initial Operational Clearance, IOC today in the presence of Defence Minister A K Antony in Bangalore. This will catapult India to a select club of nations that built a fighter plane - LCA from scratch.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik will preside over the ceremony and accept Service Certificate to Tejas. After receiving the IOC, hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL will manufacture the first 20 Tejas aircraft in two batches of 10 planes each. HAL will continue to upgrade the indigenous fighter as the Indian Air Force plans to induct close to 200 LCAs and 20 twin seater trainer versions in the long run.The historic first squadron will be stationed at Sulur near Coimbatore. The second LCA squadron will be stationed at Kayathir near Tuticorin, where the IAF is developing a new fighter base.The mark II version of the LCA with a more powerful engine, better aerodynamics and advance avionics is also under development. The naval version of the LCA, to be used in aircraft carriers, is also under development

Iran Air passenger plane Boeing-727 crashes

Iran Air passenger plane Boeing-727 carrying more than 100 passengers crashed near a village before it could land in the city of Orumiyeh, north-west of the capital, Tehran, said Abbas Mosayebi, spokesman of the Iranian civil aviation organisation, state TV reported, at least 70 people have been killed and 32 injured.

Fars news agency quoted the head of the State Emergency Centre, Gholam Reza Masoumi, as saying 32 people survived with light injuries. That report said there was bad weather and fog in the area.The flight had been delayed twice due to bad weather in Tehran, which saw brief snow on Sunday morning, said the report.

Iran's Red Crescent Society told Press TV that the death toll is expected to rise as many of the injured have been reported to be in critical conditions. They have been rushed to hospitals in the cities of Orumiyeh and Tabriz. Officials have said that 27 inches of snow and thick fog are hampering the rescue operations.