In the aftermath of the Air India (AI-171) incident in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the central government has intensified the investigation process. Agencies are actively engaged at the site as the government initiates high-level review meetings. Today, a critical session is convened at the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), presided over by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
This crucial meeting witnesses the presence of top officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), MoCA, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). According to sources, the primary objective is to assess the progress made in investigating the AI-171 crash. The discussion will evaluate recovery efforts, future exploration strategies, and implementation of reports from various agencies.
Aviation Safety on the Agenda
Sources suggest that the meeting extends beyond the crash investigation, deliberating on enhancing aviation safety measures and strengthening the aviation safety ecosystem. It is anticipated that decisive steps towards a fortified air safety infrastructure might also be finalized in this meeting.
Gujarat Government Is Proactive
Simultaneously, Gujarat's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghavi, reviewed DNA testing processes. He visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar. This review session included the Home Department Secretary, IG from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and senior FSL officials. Following this, Minister Sanghavi plans to visit the crash site accompanied by the State Home Secretary, DGP, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, and IB officials.
Minister Sanghavi confirmed meetings with senior home department officials at FSL. The FSL team is working around the clock, conducting DNA matching with family members. Gujarat employs 36 forensic experts, complemented by FSL specialists from the Indian government.
Rapid Investigation... AAIB and NIA Remain Active
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team has accelerated its examination on-site. The team, led by Officer Sanjay Singh, reached the crash site on Saturday morning, marking the second day of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also arrived at the crash scene. According to sources, NIA has offered comprehensive cooperation to the state government in the investigation. Following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), investigative agencies provide multilayered support to the state in such incidents.
240 DNA Samples Collected, Process Continues
At BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, DNA sample collection is ongoing. By Friday night, 224 samples had been collected, with 16 additional samples taken the following morning, bringing the total to 240 DNA samples collected to date.
