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Expect bulk of air traffic back by Diwali: Hardeep Singh Puri

Much of the pre-Covid domestic air passenger traffic could be restored by Diwali, Minister of State for Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday. The Centre will allow more flights from locations such as Mumbai and Kolkata, which have had restricted operations so far, Puri said. “The figure (of domestic passengers) yesterday was 98,800, so we have already reached 33% of pre-Covid numbers. We are increasing domestic passengers at the rate of 5,000 a week. With Mumbai hopefully having Covid numbers under control, the graph stable and coming down, I’m hoping that after the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, we will open up Mumbai more; Bengaluru, Kolkata will be a little less sporadic. We will be looking to touch the 50% mark before too long,” Puri said at an online Idea Exchange event of The Indian Express. (A detailed transcript of the conversation will be published later.) By Diwali (November 14), “we should be getting a bulk of our civil aviation traffic back in form”, the Minister said. Operations are currently limited to 100 flights per day at Mumbai airport. Flights to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur, and Ahmedabad have been restricted until August 31. Overall, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has allowed airlines to operate only up to 45% of their pre-Covid capacities. This cap was 35% when flights resumed on May 25. International flights, Puri said, will depend on the behaviour of the virus. “I cannot anticipate whether countries will allow people from India in, but we have gone ahead and made the best out of a very difficult situation, navigated through turbulence, and today we have air bubbles with the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany. I have announced 13 more,” he said. “In our case, we started with a mandatory 14-day quarantine — 7 days’ institutional and 7 days’ self quarantine. Now we have introduced an innovation, if you are carrying a certificate of an RT-PCR test done in the last 96 hours you can go through the green channel. We are opening up these things so that we move towards normalcy.” Aviation is among the sectors worst impacted by the outbreak of the pandemic and the lockdowns all over the world. Consultancy firm CAPA India has projected losses of $4-4.5 billion for India’s airline industry in 2020-21 (April-March). However, Puri said that airlines could be saved by resuming operations as quickly as possible, and that the government was “navigating its way forward” on this. “Different airlines are in different financial positions. There are some which were under strain even prior to Covid. There are others that are a little more comfortable because they are tied to bigger business establishments,” he said. “My own firmly held view is that the saving of airlines, etc. will come by as quickly as possible resuming operations. We have taken many meetings, we are navigating our way forward.” Puri spoke about the controversy over the privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram airport. Responding to a question on how the Centre would proceed now that the state had refused to cooperate, the Minister said that if the Kerala government was against privatisation, it should not have participated in the bidding process. “First they turned around and said they are against privatisation. If they’re against privatisation, they should not have participated in this. They are already running two privatised airports (Kochi and Kannur). Some people have suggested that there is angle of the person who has won the bid. That also does not seem to be right because that economic entity is running a port 20 kilometres from there. So, my short answer is that they have an experience in privatisation, they wanted to participate, they participated, they lost the bid and therefore, we have proceeded,” Puri said. In the tender process for the privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram airport, Adani Enterprises outbid the Kerala state government entity KSIDC by 19.64%, which resulted in the state becoming ineligible to match the winning bid — an option that it could have exercised if its bid was within 10% of the winning bid.

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Guwahati gets India's longest ropeway across Brahmaputra

India's longest river ropeway of 1.82km connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati over the Brahmaputra river in Assam was inaugurated on Monday. It is expected to boost tourism in the region. The ropeway will cross the Urvashi island and the commuters will catch a glimpse of the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island, built by Ahom King Gadadhar Singha. Launching the ropeway service, Assam Health, Finance, and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that generally ropeway is built in the mountainous areas, but the Guwahati ropeway is the first ropeway in India over a river built at a cost of Rs 56.8 crore. The ropeway would cover the distance now in 8-9 minutes, which earlier used to take more than an hour, and further increased during the floods. Consisting of two cabins with each having a capacity of 32 passengers at a time, the ropeway, however, given the Covid-19 protocol, will for the time being only carry 15 people, said the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), which executed the project. The works for the ropeway project started in 2006 but was virtually abandoned after 2011. The service would benefit people, especially those living in northern regions of Guwahati, Assam's and northeast India's main commercial hub. "People living in the northern vicinity of Guwahati suffer a lot during the monsoon flood when the ferry services remain suspended on the Brahmaputra. Travel by road to reach the main city of Guwahati takes up too much time and cost during the flood," Sarma said. He said: "We had started the ropeway project in 2006 aiming to complete it by 2011. Some technical issues cropped up then. The Archaeological Survey of India had pointed out to introduce some new rules vis-A-vis ropeway construction. After necessary clearance, the work resumed. It had even reached the Gauhati High Court. "We resumed the work when I got the responsibility of GMDA in 2016 after becoming a minister in the BJP led ministry." GMDA officials said that the ropeway has been built as per state of art technology following relevant Indian and international standards. "The ropeway is a convenient and non-polluting means of transport, as well as a source of environmentally friendly tourism. "It is ecologically sustainable as it is run by electric power protecting the beauty of the area, while simultaneously providing passengers with a comfortable and speedy means of travel," an official statement said.

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Himachal Pradesh relaxes restrictions for tourists; e-passes to stay

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has eased the restrictions for tourists to revive the tourism industry, which is the backbone of the hill state’s economy. The tourism sector has come to a standstill ever since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced in March. In an attempt to revive the tourism sector, the state Cabinet on Monday relaxed the restrictions/guidelines on stay of tourists put in place to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in the hill state. The Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur decided to ‘reduce the minimum stay of the tourists to two days from five days’, IANS reported. The existing norms in regard to Covid-19 negative reports/certificates, which are mandatory for the tourists to enter Himachal Pradesh, have also been relaxed. "Earlier, the Covid-19 negative report was not to be more than 72 hours old before the visits. Now, the time has been increased to 96 hours," Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said. "After reviewing the central government's latest guidelines, we have decided to streamline the issuance of Covid passes for movement to and fro the state. It will be hassle-free and issued within the time frame fixed by the Deputy Commissioners concerned," the minister. "No one can enter the state without an e-pass. All interstate movement will be monitored through the prevailing registration process. Any person keen to visit Himachal can enter his particulars on this software and he will get permission on priority," he added. Though hotels were allowed to operate after the Centre announced the Unlock 3 guidelines, but the tourism industry stakeholders maintained that the rules for tourists were very stringent. Himachal Pradesh today recorded 21 new COVID-19 cases pushing taking the total number of cases in the state to 5,022. As per the state's health department, there are 1,485 active cases, while 3,461 people have recovered from the deadly contagious disease. So far, 27 coronavirus patients have lost their lives "21 new COVID19 cases reported in Himachal Pradesh today. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 5,022 including 1,485 active cases, 3,461 recovered cases & 27 deaths so far," the health department stated.

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Indian Railways invites fresh tenders for 44 sets of Vande Bharat Trains

NEW DELHI : [India], Aug 23 (ANI): The Indian Railways on Sunday cancelled the tenders of 44 sets of Vande Bharat Trains and invited fresh tenders as per the revised public procurement in order to maintain complete transparency. As per the statement, earlier on Friday, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai had cancelled the older tender, which was floated on December 22, 2019, and opened on July 10, 2020. Reports had said that the decision to issue the new tenders was taken months after a Chinese joint venture company had emerged as the only foreign bidder for the global tender floated for manufacturing 44 rakes of the Vande Bharat Trains. "While evaluating the technical bids of the tenders, the Tender Committee had noticed that some of the details of the financial offers had been revealed in the first packet, which was not acceptable. The new guidelines of public procurement will be strictly followed and will prefer the 'Make in India' initiative. To maintain the complete transparency, the Committee has recommended to cancel the tender and invite fresh tenders" the statement added quoted Vinod Kumar, Chairman of the Railway Board (CRB). It further quoted the CRB saying, "The Railway is trying to manufacture this project as early as possible. But, due to some technical issues, this project has been delayed. In a fresh tenders timeline for manufacturing of Train Sets will be compressed," adding that there would be an increase in indigenous content from the present level of 50 per cent to a higher level as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It further said that fresh tenders would be invited within a week and would have the provisions to manufacture Vande Bharat Train Set at all the three Production Units of Indian Railways, ICF, MCF & RCF," it added.

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Delhi to London—World's longest bus voyage to start in 2021

For travellers waiting for the epic long road trip of a lifetime, Adventures Overland has announced the most epic bus journey in the world all set to start in the year 2021. Yes, the Bus to London, will be the first-ever hop-on/hop-off bus service from India’s capital Delhi to London in the United Kingdom’s London. Touring 18 countries in 70 days The post further adds that as a part of the tour, people will travel through 18 countries, covering 20,000 km in 70 days! The journey will be undertaken in a luxury bus, well-equipped for comfort travel. The 20,000 km long journey will cover 18 countries in 70 days. The tourists on board will spend time in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK. Trip divided into 4 major destinations Leg 1 will cover India, Myanmar, Thailand whereas Leg 2 will cover China’s Sichuan and Xinjiang provinces, which feature trips to famous locations including the Great Wall of China, Silk Route and Gobi Desert among others. The caravan will then move forward to Central Asia’s Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. The final leg will cover European countries like Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. The bookings for this trip have started, but not more than 20 passengers will be allowed on board by the organisers. As per their policy, preference will be given to the passengers who pay for the full journey. Other details: 1. Mode of travel: customised luxury bus for exceptional comfort 2. Trip cost: INR 15 lakhs per person 3. Duration: Leg 1 (11N/12D), Leg 2 (15N/16D), Leg 3 (21N/22D), Leg 4 (15N/16D) 4. Vegetarian food: Available (locally available limited options and ready-to-eat) 5. Inclusions: Hotel stay on twin-sharing basis, visas and standard tourist visa fee, border crossing assistance, experienced English-speaking guide etc. 6. Exclusions: International/Domestic flight ticket, urgent tourist visa, meals and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions, medical expenses incurred during the trip etc.

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Process on to open up Darjeeling Hills to tourists from Sept

Darjeeling: From September 7th hotels and homestays could open up in the Darjeeling Hills. Representatives of the travel trade, hotel owners and transporters held a meeting to decide the way forward for the tourism industry, reeling under a major crisis. Subject to a nod from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) it was decided that hotels and homestays in the Hills would open up from September. "Covid-19 cannot be stopped by just keeping everything closed. A meeting was held on Sunday to decide the way forward. A resolution was adopted that with the approval of the GTA and following all necessary Government protocols hotels and homestays will open up from September 7," stated Tanmoy Goswami, Coordinator, HHTDN. The meeting held at the Gymkhana Club, Darjeeling, resolved that industry representatives, along with approaching the GTA for a go ahead, will also request the GTA to sensitize the local welfare organizations (Samaj) in the towns and villages to ensure them that all necessary safety measures are being adopted to ensure safe tourism. "Along with requesting the GTA to formulate a protocol for safe and sustainable tourism, the GTA will also be approached so that health checkup camps can be run in the entry points of the Hills (Darjeeling and Kalimpong.) Tourists can then be screened before entering the Hills," stated Goswami. On July 1, hotels opened up in the Darjeeling Hills and Dooars. However with Covid-19 positive cases on the rise, and instances of protests from local residents, fearing further spread of the virus, the GTA had hurriedly shut doors to tourists. "The tour and travel industry, which is the economic mainstay of this region is incurring a daily loss of around 19 Crore Rupees," added Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network. A well defined roadmap devised with thorough consultation with stakeholders and local communities is the need of the hour prescribed travel trade industry Pundits, Every year around 8 lakh domestic and 40,000 foreign tourists visit the Darjeeling Hills.

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