Will take up Mangalore crash compensation with centre: Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, March 6: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Tuesday informed the state assembly that he would take steps to speed up the disbursal of compensation to families of the victims of the 2010 Mangalore air crash.

The chief minister said this in response to a submission by CPI-M legislator K. Kunhiraman, who pointed out that the counsel for Air India was trying to reach an out-of-court settlement with the kin of those killed in the May 2010 disaster.

"Of the 158 killed, 58 are Keralites of whom 40 hail from Kasargode district and 17 from my constituency. Though the Kerala High Court ruled that they should be given compensation as per international rules, counsel for the airline is trying to influence the victim's relatives and trying to ask them to reach an out-of-court settlement, and this is not fair," said Kunhiraman.

The ill-fated aircraft, coming from Dubai, shot off the runaway after landing, killing 158 passengers and crew members. There were eight survivors.

Chandy clarified that his government has said many times that the compensation has to be under international aviation rules.

"Of the 70 cases where compensation has been fully settled, it was done on the basis of the Montreal Convention and as per the 1972 Carriage by Air Act. In the 70 cases, Rs.60.44 crore compensation was given.

In seven cases, since there was a dispute between the family members of the victims, only partial settlement has taken place. I have taken up this issue in the past and once again I will take up this issue with the centre," said Chandy.

Kunhiraman also brought to the attention of the house that compensation was being calculated on the basis of the age of the victims and the jobs they held, which he said was not fair.

So far the state government has given Rs.3 lakh each while the central government has paid Rs.2 lakh each to the families of all the 158 victims. "I once again assure the house that steps would be initiated at the highest level to see that the compensation is given as per international laws and at the earliest," said Chandy.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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