Gaya, July 15: The Air India aircraft former Union minister Shashi Tharoor took off in from Gaya international airport at 3.50pm today had to make an emergency landing owing to technical fault.
According to sources, the aircraft returned in 25 minutes after take-off. The distance it covered is being ascertained. A total of 127 passengers, including Tharoor and seven crew members, were on board the flight. All passengers had a slender escape, as the pilot identified the fault well in time and returned to make an emergency landing at Gaya airport.
Tharoor had arrived in Gaya last evening to take part in the death anniversary function of senior Congress leader Jai Kumar Palit.
He was travelling alone today. After the safe landing, Tharoor planned to take the Rajdhani Express from Gaya.
Tharoor tweeted: "Mid-air drama: my @airindiain flight from Gaya to Delhi via Varanasi developed problems and made an emergency return to Gaya. Everyone's OK."
Earlier, he tweeted on his Gaya and Bodhgaya visits that included: "Reputedly the world's highest statue of the Buddha, 80ft high amazes Bodhgaya visitors."
On addressing Gaya district Congress committee, he tweeted - "My message: politics is not just elections every 5 yrs but service in between. Surprised myself and my Bihari hosts by addressing a memorial meeting for late JK Palit in fluent but not flawless Hindi. Prayed at the historic Vishnupad temple in Gaya. Legend has it that his feet left an impression on the granite. People throng the sanctum to see. Yes my first visit to Gaya and even to Bihar. Used to take Rajdhani to Kolkata through Bihar in my college days but didn't stop."
Sources in Air India said accommodation for passengers had been made in hotels at Bodhgaya. The passengers also included some foreigners. Some local passengers, however, returned home. '
The aircraft that made emergency landing has been grounded at Gaya airport. Technical staff from Delhi will arrive tomorrow to repair the aircraft. Thereafter, it is likely to take off tomorrow carrying the passengers. Arrangements would also be made for some passengers in another scheduled flight of Air India tomorrow.
