LOL News: India is developing 1700 seater aircraft. Union Minister says that the development is in advanced stage.
Don’t get me wrong. I am an Indian & I want to see my country do well in science & technology. Over the years, every time these ministers make such statements, they not only make a joke of themselves but of the whole nation. Exactly a year back they trumpeted $35 tablet to be available in Jan 2011. All tech journals across the world laughed at us or at best skeptical while the Indian media went gaga over that. Now what is the status? The Indian media do not bother since they have much more spicy news to publish. The people do not care since they have a short memory.
Almost all papers have published similar text, which appear to be given to the press by the ministry. Nobody bothered to get the details like:
- Which department is working on this?
- What is their qualification?
- How many models of aircraft they have already designed and manufactured?
- Which are the carriers using those aircrafts?
The mighty Boing & Airbus are struggling with their design to perfect A380 & 777. With all their experience their budget & schedule went haywire.
I’ll be more than happy to see India actually producing such technological wonders. After all we have built a super computer & sent a rocket to the moon. We have all the expertise since most of the engineers working in path breaking discoveries across the world are Indians. If they can be brought back to India and given proper directions & leadership, we can challenge any nation.
However, I still have one fundamental question. “Does it make any business sense to build a 1700 seater aircraft?” Do they know what kind of infrastructure needed at ground level to handle that many passengers? A380 itself is giving enough headaches to the airport managers across the world.
Who sanctioned such a crazy project? Does our Kapil Sibal, minister for science & technology, who famously promised a $35 tablet last year, aware of this? Oh yes, he is busy drafting Lokpal bill!
