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India’s first coastal zipline Flying Konkan launched in Devgad

Adventure sports venture, Flying Konkan has launched the country’s first coastal zipline along the coast of Devgad district of Maharashtra. Launched and thrown open for visitors and tourists earlier this year, Flying Konkan’s Devgad zipline is being promoted as first of its kind adventure sports activity along the coastal region of India. Co-founded by IT engineers turned entrepreneurs, siblings Vaishnavi Joil and Srikant Joil want to make beaches and coasts a thrilling activity spot for adventure tourism and set it apart from the niche ‘water sports’ category. Apart from redefining beach adventure, to go beyond water sports, the venture is also creating job opportunities in the quaint beach town and driving skill development among youth and women. Over the past decade, the popularity of adventure sports tourism has seen an upward trend among tourists of all age groups and backgrounds. And while India currently has several ziplining options, including popular locations in Rishikesh and some in Rajasthan, Goa, and even Maharashtra, the Indian coast has so far remained isolated to ziplining. The Flying Konkan Zipline was conceptualised as a curious idea in 2016, and finally took shape and materialised in January 2021, after years of research, planning, permissions, paperwork, and several trials. However, the pandemic and the lockdown in 2020, was pivotal point in the way the venture would shape out eventually. Speaking about the journey and the vision, Vaishnavi Joil, Co-Founder, Flying Konkan Devgad Zipline, said, “Devgad has been our family native and we have spent several summer vacations as children, relishing in the mangoes and exploring the beach. However, during the lockdown when we moved here to work out of our family home, I became acutely aware of the lack of opportunities for the youth and the high rate of unemployment. Also, the fact that although equally picturesque when compared to some of Konkan’s popular tourist destinations, Devgad had not witnessed any tourist flux unlike its neighboring towns of Malvan and Ratnagiri. While we were already working on the zip line idea, we decided to make it count for the local community and worked around a plan to offer training and employment for the local youth as well as rope in local women to curate a wholesome tourist experience, needed to put Devgad on the tourist map. In line with this, we have envisioned a lot of new offerings under Flying Konkan and the zipline is just the first of several such initiatives.” Apart from Zipline, Flying Konkan also plans to launch a surfing school to further enhance the reach of water sports beyond just a form of entertainment. Through the surfing school, Joil also aims to provide skills and employment to local youth who can become instructors and volunteers. Perched at a height of about 280 meters from sea level and with a total length of 1885 meters, the Flying Konkan zipline boasts wire rope made of UshaMartin steel having a thickness of 12 mm. The landing point height is 40ft from the ground and is accessed through a special steel ramp made for landing with a staircase installed on it. The harness, pully, joco, and sling used are sourced from leading mountaineering equipment manufacturing brand PETZL. The carabiner used are from Madrock, Edelweiss, and PETZL brands, while the safety gear and helmets mandatory for all participants are from the Zip rider brand.

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Hans Airways hopes to offer India connections this summer

Hans Airways, the new British long-haul airline, has achieved some significant milestones, taking it closer to realising its plan to start commercial operations in early summer. CEO and founder Satnam Saini is extremely encouraged that India re-opened to international scheduled flights last weekend. Last week the company formally confirmed its January 2022 Letter of Intent for its first Airbus A330-200 (MSN 950) with a committed contract. The aircraft is now in Abu Dhabi where it is undergoing maintenance checks with Etihad Engineering, overseen by a Hans Airways liaison engineer. Twelve newly recruited cabin crew members start their training at Birmingham and Manchester next week, engaged through the Resource Group and Neeru Prabhakar, former cabin service director/trainer/recruitment at British Airways for 30 years, joined Hans Airways last month. This follows the completion of pilot training at the end of January – specifically ground school at IAGO Flight Training, Crawley and simulator training at L3 Harris. Hans Airways is proud to have employed some exceptional commercial pilots, who have garnered experience with a variety of low-cost, legacy and regional airlines. “With the loss of flights operated by India’s Jet Airways and British inclusive tour operators Thomas Cook and Monarch Airlines, there is room for a third UK airline flying between UK and India (complementing British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.) All of us are working exceptionally hard and on schedule to be that third UK designated carrier,” commented Barry Humphries, CBE, Hans Airways’ Board Director and former head of air services policy at the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

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Thai Airways to resume operations between India and Thailand

As India’s restrictions on international flights lift, the national carrier for Thailand, Thai Airways, is ready to resume operations between the two countries. A popular destination for Indian travellers, VFS Global, expects a surge in demand for its e-Visa on Arrival service for Thailand. “Starting of Thailand eVOA services through VFS Global will provide great convenience to customers travelling to Thailand. Thai Airways will be operating 35 flights a week between India and Thailand during Summer of 2022. We sincerely hope 2022 offers tremendous travel opportunities for customers,” said Sunil Kumar, Sales Manager, North India, Thai Airways. Cholada Siddhivarn, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai, said, “India remains an important source market for Thailand, and we are excited about the resumption of Thailand eVOA services through VFS Global. Thailand looks forward to welcoming many more Indian travellers in 2022.” Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi, added, “VFS Global has been a strong partner for Thailand as a destination, and we are pleased to share news of the restart of Thailand Immigration’s eVOA services through them. We hope 2022 will be the year we truly begin travel again.” Noel Swain, Business Head, Passport Services, eVisa & Tourism services, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global appreciates the constant support and faith of the Thailand Immigration Authority, even during the challenges faced in the last two years. We have seen an uptick in demand for our Thailand eVOA since we resumed the service in January 2022, and we expect a further increase in these numbers once the Tai Airways flights resume at the end of the month.” India is one among nine countries whose nationals are eligible for Thailand eVOA services, along with Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, India, Malta, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. VFS Global commenced Thai eVOA services in February 2019, providing travellers from 21 countries online pre-departure travel authorisation within 24 to 72 hours of their application being submitted. Additionally, an ‘Express eVisa On Arrival’ service was introduced, enabling approval within 24 hours. Customers availing of the EVOA service enjoy a faster immigration process at the dedicated Immigration counters at major airports in Thailand.

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Hyderabad metro's unlimited travel holiday card spreads festive cheer on Ugadi

Starting this Ugadi, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (L&TMRHL) is set to spread holiday cheer among the people of Hyderabad with the first of its kind Super Saver Metro Holiday Card. The card offers to provide unlimited metro travel across 57 metros stations and three corridors on 100 applicable holidays during the year. The Super Saver Metro Holiday Card was unveiled on Thursday by KVB Reddy, MD and CEO, L&TMRHL during an event at Ameerpet Metro Station amidst the presence of passengers and metro officials. The Super Saver Metro Holiday Cards would be available for sale from Ugadi (April 2) onwards. Any passenger can buy Super Saver Metro Holiday Card from April 2 onwards from any of the metro rail ticket counters by paying a one-time non-refundable cost of Rs. 50/- and a top-up value of Rs. 59/- only. The top-up value will be valid only on the date of recharge of any applicable holiday and can be used throughout the day for unlimited travel across the metro network during the operational hour. Addressing the event, KVB Reddy, MD and CEO, L&TMRHL, said, "We are happy to launch this pocket-friendly Super Saver Metro Holiday Card commencing from the auspicious day of Ugadi. Now with a nominal recharge of Rs. 59/-, passengers can avail of unlimited metro travel on any listed holidays. This special offer reinforces our commitment to providing the best in class travel options for passengers."

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Covid-19 travel update: Shanghai shifts lockdown, South Korea to ease measures

Shanghai started part two of its phased lockdown on Friday, confining some 16 million people living in the western part of the city to their homes after ending a four-day lockdown of the eastern half. Many patients have died in recent days at a large Shanghai elderly-care hospital, though the government hasn’t officially reported any such fatalities, according to the Wall Street Journal. The spread of Covid to Shanghai is the biggest test yet for President Xi Jinping’s goals of eliminating the virus while minimizing the economic and social impacts of a Covid Zero strategy. Democrats and Republicans are near agreement on a $10 billion Covid-19 funding package as the White House mounts a last-ditch effort to salvage money for global vaccine efforts that had been championed by President Joe Biden. Key Developments: Virus Tracker: Cases pass 487 million; deaths top 6.1 million Vaccine Tracker: More than 11.2 billion doses administered Trapped Traders Skip Showers, Lose Sleep in Shanghai Lockdown The Best and Worst Places to Be as Covid Travel Curbs Fall Away Shanghai to Shift Lockdown to Western Half (9:15 a.m. HK) Shanghai started part two of its phased lockdown on Friday, confining some 16 million people living in the western part of the city to their homes after ending a four-day lockdown of the eastern half. Residents in the western part of the Chinese financial hub, where about two-thirds of Shanghai’s population lives, were confined to their homes starting at 3 a.m. on Friday. Shanghai has emerged as the epicenter of China’s worst virus outbreak since the early days of the pandemic. The city’s daily infections shot up from less than five at the beginning of March to almost 6,000 earlier this week, though they’ve subsequently declined. Unreported Deaths at Shanghai Hospital: WSJ (9:04 a.m. HK) Many patients have died in recent days at a large Shanghai elderly-care hospital amid a Covid outbreak, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the situation. Shanghai hasn’t officially reported any Covid-related deaths or outbreaks in its elderly-care centers since cases began climbing in March. The fatalities are a sign that infections are hitting Shanghai harder than authorities have publicly disclosed, the report said. Thailand Cases at Record for Second Day (8:50 a.m. HK) Thailand reported a record number of new Covid infections for a second day, with the death toll jumping to the highest in more than five months. The Health Ministry on Friday reported 28,379 confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, including 62 imported cases, while there were 92 fatalities. Starting Friday, no pre-travel Covid tests will be required for foreign visitors to Thailand as the tourism-reliant nation seeks to draw more holiday-makers to help it sustain a nascent economic recovery. Overseas visitors will still be required to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival and a self-administered antigen test on day five. South Korea to Ease Measures for Two Weeks (7:48 a.m. HK) South Korea will ease social distancing measures, allowing private gatherings of up to 10 people and restaurants to operate until midnight as there are signs that the spread of the omicron variant is slowing, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said in a meeting. Currently, up to 8 people are allowed in private gatherings, and restaurants and cafes must close by 11 p.m. The eased measures will be effective Monday. South Korea on Thursday reported 320,743 more coronavirus cases, compared with a record 621,328 cases reported earlier in March. Democrats Try to Salvage Vaccine Funding (1:26 a.m. HK) Democrats and Republicans are near agreement on a $10 billion Covid-19 funding package as the White House mounts a last-ditch effort to salvage money for global vaccine efforts that had been championed by President Joe Biden. Utah Senator Mitt Romney, the top GOP negotiator on the bill, said Thursday afternoon that there is an agreement in principle but that Republicans are awaiting a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. Teens Suffered Heightened Pain in Pandemic (1 a.m. HK) US high school students endured widespread emotional and physical pain during the relative isolation of Covid-19, reporting high rates of abuse, sadness and distress in the home during early 2021. Roughly half of high-schoolers reported emotional abuse by a parent or difficulty completing schoolwork since the pandemic began, according to analyses of government surveys of about 7,000 ninth to 12th graders across the U.S. in the first half of last year. Around one in four reported experiencing hunger or economic insecurity, and one in 10 said they had been physically abused by a parent. London Covid-19 Hospital Cases Rise (8:57 p.m. HK) The number of patients in London hospitals testing positive for Covid-19 has risen to the highest in almost two months. There were 2,330 people in the U.K. capital’s hospitals who had the virus on Wednesday, the most since Feb. 3, according to data from NHS England. The figures showed that 563 patients were treated primarily for Covid-19 while the others were admitted for other reasons. About 79 million people are expected to travel across the country to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year, said Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi. India’s Financial Hub Mumbai Lifts Restrictions (8:32 p.m. HK) The government of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, has decided to remove all pandemic-related curbs, Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister of the state, said in a tweet. The decision comes a week after the federal advisory to states recommending easing of restrictions. New Delhi is also discussing the lifting of curbs, the Mint newspaper reported. India recorded 1,225 Covid cases on Thursday. Manila to Stay Under Loosest Alert Level (6:12 p.m. HK) The Philippine capital region will remain under the loosest movement restrictions as cases stayed low. About 79 million people are expected to travel across the country to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year, said Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi. India’s Financial Hub Mumbai Lifts Restrictions (8:32 p.m. HK) The government of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, has decided to remove all pandemic-related curbs, Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister of the state, said in a tweet. The decision comes a week after the federal advisory to states recommending easing of restrictions. New Delhi is also discussing the lifting of curbs, the Mint newspaper reported. India recorded 1,225 Covid cases on Thursday. Manila to Stay Under Loosest Alert Level (6:12 p.m. HK) The Philippine capital region will remain under the loosest movement restrictions as cases stayed low.

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Your trip from Delhi to Uttarakhand via expressway to get costlier as toll tax increases

Starting April 1, 2022, road travellers between Dehradun, Haridwar and Delhi will have to pay extra as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a hike in toll tax. The tax has been increased by around 10%. A look at the increased rate: The Lachhiwala toll plaza in Dehradun (one-way toll tax) has been increased from INR 85 to INR 95 for light motor vehicles including cars and jeeps. And, for two-way travel, people will now have to pay INR 145 (earlier, it was INR 125). This is one of the most commonly used routes by people to travel to Kumaon or Pauri Garhwal district from Dehradun. The Nangia toll plaza is used to travel between Garhwal and Kumaon. The tax has been increased from INR 75 to INR 80 for one-way travel and INR 115 to INR 120 for two-way travel (light vehicles ). People who used to live in a 20 km radius of the Nangia toll used to pay subsidised toll fees but now it has also been increased by INR 10. People travelling from Dehradun in their car and jeep will have to pay INR 50 (one-way), and those coming from Delhi to Dehradun and using the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will have to pay INR 155 (one-time travel). Toll fees will also increase on the other plazas that fall between Delhi-Dehradun.

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