News

Indian Railways to Launch ‘Super App’ for Ticket Booking and Food Orders

Indian Railways is getting ready to launch a single "super app" that would offer travellers a variety of necessary services on one easy-to-use platform. The new application will serve as an umbrella platform, bringing together all railway services in one place. It will let users purchase platform passes, book tickets, and track train timetables, among other features, which should make travelling easier. With the goal of integrating a variety of services that were previously dispersed across several applications, the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is working with IRCTC's current infrastructure to construct the app. IRCTC will remain the main interface via which passengers access these services in spite of this integration. The super app's development is still under progress. Currently, railway passengers rely on separate platforms for various needs, such as IRCTC Rail Connect for ticketing, IRCTC eCatering Food on Track for meal orders, Rail Madad for feedback, UTS for unreserved tickets, and the National Train Enquiry System for real-time train information. The new super app seeks to centralise these services, creating a streamlined and user-friendly experience for millions of railway users.

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SATTE 2025 draws strong response, launching SATTE Connect and roadshows

SATTE Connect in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, aims to strengthen ties between key stakeholders in India’s travel and tourism sector. In addition, SATTE will organize eight road shows across other key markets in India. SATTE (South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange), the leading travel and tourism trade show in South Asia, announces that SATTE 2025 will feature SATTE Connect in three major cities – Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, accompanied by eight road shows across the country. These initiatives have already garnered an overwhelming response from the travel and tourism industry. SATTE Connect aims to strengthen ties between key stakeholders in India’s travel and tourism sector, fostering business opportunities and driving future growth. The three-city event will serve as a platform for face-to-face meetings, business collaborations, and networking opportunities, enhancing the business prospects of participants. In addition to these events, SATTE will organize eight road shows across other key markets in India, bringing together travel agents, tour operators, and industry professionals to further enhance collaboration and expand the sector’s potential.

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Thiruvananthapuram is India's first city to win global sustainability award

Thiruvananthapuram has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by being awarded the UN-Shanghai global award for sustainable development, making it the first Indian city to receive this prestigious recognition. This accolade, presented by UN Habitat and the Shanghai Municipality, celebrates cities worldwide for their outstanding achievements in sustainability, governance, and innovation. The award ceremony took place in Alexandria, Egypt, where Mayor Arya Rajendran and Rahul Sharma, the CEO of Smart City Thiruvananthapuram, accepted the honor on behalf of the city. Thiruvananthapuram was selected from a pool of candidates after a thorough analysis of its unique challenges, resources, and sustainable urbanization efforts. This year, five cities were recognized, including Agadir (Morocco), Melbourne (Australia), Doha (Qatar), and Iztapalapa (Mexico). Manaveeyam cultural street: This vibrant area serves as a center for artistic expression and community interaction, showcasing Thiruvananthapuram's dedication to creating public spaces that foster social connections and cultural activities. Electric transportation: To combat carbon emissions, the city has introduced electric buses, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient public transportation system. 115 electric buses and 100 e-autos for unemployed youths signifies a significant shift towards cleaner public transport. The municipality has also procured 35 e-scooters for its operational needs. Integrated Command & Control Center (ICCC): This advanced center utilizes real-time data for effective management of city infrastructure, enhancing the city’s ability to respond to urban challenges.

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Goa to host first-ever Brezelfest in November

Get ready, Goa! This November 7, this popular beach destination will transform into a German haven as it gears up to host the inaugural Brezelfest Goa 2024. Inspired by Germany’s famous Oktoberfest, Brezelfest is all set to bring the best of German culture to South Goa, blending beer, authentic German dishes, live music, and art workshops for a day packed with fun and flavours. Hosted at The Basein Madgaon, people planning to visit Goa during this time, will be able to attend this festival. Brezelfest will offer you a chance to indulge in iconic German foods like pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, and hearty sourdough sandwiches, all served with traditional flavours. Adding to the festive vibe, Seven Rivers Brewing Co. is providing 600 litres of specially brewed Munich Helles and 300 litres of German Pilsner, so you can enjoy fresh pours with your meal. Each sip of beer will take you a bit closer to Germany without ever leaving Goa! Well, as we all know that no festival is complete without music, Brezelfest will also bring together a special treat. As per the reports, the Die Kirchdorfer Oktoberfest Band from Munich, famous for their lively tunes, will set the stage burning and have the crowd up and dancing. For those looking to unleash their creativity, Brezelfest will also feature interactive workshops on crochet, block printing, essential oils, and more. It’s a perfect way to take home a little piece of the festival while learning new skills. Three businesswomen from South Goa—baker Andrea Thumshirn, artist Ragini Dhingra, and gardener Yogita Mehra—are the brains behind Brezelfest. They envisioned a festival that would offer a distinctive German flavour to Goa's lively atmosphere while bridging cultures via food, music, and art. Their partnership ensures that Brezelfest becomes a yearly favourite for both residents and visitors, celebrating both cultures.

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Dudhsagar Waterfall tours finally resume

The popular tours to Dudhsagar Falls are back in action, with jeep safaris once again shuttling tourists to this iconic destination. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the Dudhsagar Tour Operators’ Association (DTOA) have reached a compromise, following intervention by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who helped mediate a settlement over online booking disputes that had stalled operations. As per the latest reports, jeeps are once again making their way to Dudhsagar Falls. Around 110 vehicles registered offline with DTOA transported 770 tourists, while 240 more vehicles ferried another 1,440 tourists who had booked their spots online through GTDC's official portal. IF reports are to go by, the GTDC’s online booking system would stay in place for a month. During this time, the service provider will continue to manage the website and register tourists online. Meanwhile, offline bookings at the DTOA counter will also continue, allowing tourists the choice to register in person. At the end of the month, DTOA will take over the online registration process. Dudhsagar, which translates to "Sea of Milk," earns its name from the waterfall’s foamy, cascading waters that rush down a height of over 300 metres. Set in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhsagar ranks among India’s tallest and most powerful waterfalls. The post-monsoon season, that is, October to March, is the best time to visit the waterfall. One of the unique aspects of the Dudhsagar Waterfall tour is the exhilarating jeep safari that takes you deep into the Western Ghats. The jeep ride takes you through rugged, muddy trails, across small streams, and under canopies of towering trees. It’s a bumpy ride yet adventurous.

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Ministry of Tourism participated in World Travel Market London

The Ministry of Tourism will participate in World Travel Market London beginning today at ExCeL London. This three-day-long international travel and tourism event will conclude on 7th of November. A delegation comprising 50 stakeholders including State Governments, inbound tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers from the Indian travel industry will participate in this event. During the event, India Pavilion will showcase the country’s rich kaleidoscope of cultures, languages, and traditions. The focus of this year’s India pavilion is Wedding Tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and Mahakumbh. A special mock Mandapam in the Pavilion has been created to give the look and feel of an Indian wedding. This initiative aligns with India’s strategic goal to enhance inbound tourism and position the country as a premier global travel destination.

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