The Boeing 737 stuck in city road

[devblt 0]

Residents of the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) are wondering how long it will take to remove a disused Boeing 737 that has been abandoned in a busy road.

The decommissioned aircraft was being driven through the city at the weekend when the driver got lost and then abandoned the plane.

The Boeing used to belong to the private company Air Sahara.

Some locals are angry that no action is being taken to move the plane. Others say it is a tourist attraction.

It appears that after taking a wrong turn, the driver found himself facing a flyover that was too low for him to take the plane under.

The driver has not been seen since and no-one is assuming responsibility for the 737.

Sunday surprise

Restaurant owner Ramji Thapar is one of the puzzled residents of the Chembur area of the city.

He woke up Sunday morning to find the aircraft on a giant trailer abandoned on the road.

"Saturday night I shut shop and go home and everything is fine," he told the BBC news website.

"Sunday morning when I get here, this aircraft is here near my restaurant!"

The fuselage of the decommissioned aircraft, with the engine, wings and tail removed, was being taken by road to the capital Delhi late on Saturday night.

Reports say it was supposed to be used at a flight training academy.

The plane has become the centre of attraction with people coming from all over the city to take a look.

"I've been fascinated with planes and never seen one so closely," engineering student Vamsi Shastri said. "It's huge!"

His friend Ankur Rane said, "It's fascinating to see an airplane on the roads when one is only used to seeing cars and auto rickshaws."

However, for Pradeep Malhotra, who runs a catering service in the area, the plane has become a huge problem because it is parked right in front of his shop.

"My work is suffering because the food cannot be loaded in the big vehicles," he said.

"I have to load it in the smaller vans and then carry them to the bigger ones parked at the back.

"I don't know how they are going to take it out because you can't reverse it, its too big, and you can't go further down the road."

Some residents said they had not complained simply because they assumed that the authorities would be making it a priority to get the plane out of the city.

Five days on, it is still not clear who is responsible for the aircraft and its transfer to Delhi.

[Ban Hammer 12,863]

time to start stripping it.

[MissStacey 1]

Check the closest bar- the Pilot is probably there drinking.

[eric&gen 0]

Is this a joke lol too damn funny.

[devblt 0]

Is this a joke lol too damn funny.

No it's not.. i forgot to add the source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6620461.stm

[Saddle Bronc 124]

It's now been moved

Abandoned Boeing 737 'disappears'

By Monica Chadha

BBC News, Mumbai

A disused Indian Boeing 737 that was abandoned in a busy road in Mumbai (Bombay) last weekend has been moved.

The plane was taken overnight from the Chembur district where it had been left by a driver who was taking it by trailer to Delhi.

It is not clear who has moved it or where it has been taken.

The decommissioned Boeing had become the centre of attraction in the city. But some people complained that it was disrupting business.

It appears that the plane was abandoned after the driver took a wrong turn and found himself facing a flyover that was too low for him to take the plane under.

The driver then disappeared and the plane and its trailer were marooned for several days while no-one assumed responsibility for moving it.

Sunday surprise

"I'm thrilled to see that it is gone," one woman, Shaila Kachare, told the BBC News website. "Life's back to normal."

The Boeing used to belong to the private company Air Sahara.

Its engine, wings and tail were removed before it began its road journey to Delhi.

Restaurant owner Ramji Thapar woke up on Sunday morning to find the aircraft on its giant trailer abandoned on the road.

"Saturday night I shut shop and go home and everything is fine," he told the BBC news website.

"Sunday morning when I get here, this aircraft is here near my restaurant!"

Reports say it was supposed to be used at a flight training academy.

Pradeep Malhotra, who runs a catering service in the area, said the plane had become a huge problem because it was parked right in front of his shop, preventing him loading his lorries.

Some residents said they had not complained simply because they assumed that the authorities would be making it a priority to get the plane out of the city.

Most likely explanation (I pilfered from a 1982 Times of India caption on aftermath of train-accident in Prayag) is that vandals saw (and quickly dismantled) the 737--and are now in-process of selling the pieces.

Edited May 4, 2007 by CherryXS

[Jasman0717 8]

time to start stripping it.

There has to be some money in the salvage

[Saddle Bronc 124]

time to start stripping it.

There has to be some money in the salvage

Yes, the vandals (see my earlier post that the plane had been moved "mysteriously") can always sell the pieces (the scrap metal, plastic and fabric) for pittances--enough to get 1 day (to 1 week) of provisions.

[almaty 19]

It's now been moved

Abandoned Boeing 737 'disappears'

By Monica Chadha

BBC News, Mumbai

A disused Indian Boeing 737 that was abandoned in a busy road in Mumbai (Bombay) last weekend has been moved.

The plane was taken overnight from the Chembur district where it had been left by a driver who was taking it by trailer to Delhi.

It is not clear who has moved it or where it has been taken.

The decommissioned Boeing had become the centre of attraction in the city. But some people complained that it was disrupting business.

It appears that the plane was abandoned after the driver took a wrong turn and found himself facing a flyover that was too low for him to take the plane under.

The driver then disappeared and the plane and its trailer were marooned for several days while no-one assumed responsibility for moving it.

Sunday surprise

"I'm thrilled to see that it is gone," one woman, Shaila Kachare, told the BBC News website. "Life's back to normal."

The Boeing used to belong to the private company Air Sahara.

Its engine, wings and tail were removed before it began its road journey to Delhi.

Restaurant owner Ramji Thapar woke up on Sunday morning to find the aircraft on its giant trailer abandoned on the road.

"Saturday night I shut shop and go home and everything is fine," he told the BBC news website.

"Sunday morning when I get here, this aircraft is here near my restaurant!"

Reports say it was supposed to be used at a flight training academy.

Pradeep Malhotra, who runs a catering service in the area, said the plane had become a huge problem because it was parked right in front of his shop, preventing him loading his lorries.

Some residents said they had not complained simply because they assumed that the authorities would be making it a priority to get the plane out of the city.

Most likely explanation (I pilfered from a 1982 Times of India caption on aftermath of train-accident in Prayag) is that vandals saw (and quickly dismantled) the 737--and are now in-process of selling the pieces.

whoa they are good

[Amby 490]

haha when I first started reading this I thought someone was driving down the road in a plane like they move it on the runway. made me feel a little better knowing it was on a trailer. but still bizarre

[slim 1,514]

Have you guys seen the scene in Lord of War where the Africans strip the plane in less than four hours?

[eric&gen 0]

Now that is something you don't see every day lol.