News

Indian Railways to introduce Special Vande Bharat train for Patna-Delhi Route for Diwali and Chattha Puja

In a recent update, Indian Railways has announced plans to roll out a special Vande Bharat Express train between Patna and Delhi to meet the high travel demand during the Diwali and Chhath Puja. The service will start on October 30, and offer passengers with a faster and more comfortable travel option between these two major cities. The Vande Bharat Express is designed to deliver a smooth and enjoyable journey, especially suited for the festive period when many people travel to be with their families. The new train will make stops at Buxar Junction and Arrah, offering additional travel options for passengers from these regions. The fares are set at INR 2,575 for the AC Chair Car and INR 4,655 for the AC Executive Chair Car, which include amenities such as tea, breakfast, and dinner. These provisions aim to ensure a pleasant experience for travelers, adding comfort and convenience to their trip. The Vande Bharat Express will operate on selected dates during the festive season. Its inaugural journey from Patna to Delhi is scheduled for October 30. Following this, the train will run from Patna to Delhi on November 1, 3, and 6, while return trips from Delhi to Patna are planned for November 2, 4, and 7. The travel time for the route is approximately 11-and-a-half hours, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a quick yet comfortable trip between the two cities. The train's schedule is designed to maximize convenience, with departure from Delhi at 8:25 AM and arrival in Patna at 8 PM. Similarly, it will leave Patna at 7:30 AM and reach Delhi by 7 PM. This carefully planned timing allows passengers to make the most of their day while traveling in comfort. Key stops along the route include Kanpur, Prayagraj, Buxar, and Arrah, making the service accessible to a wide range of passengers from various regions.

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India’s longest glass bridge reopens in Vagamon

Good news for all those planning a trip to south India. As per the latest news reports, Vagamon's popular glass bridge, which is also India's longest cantilever glass bridge, is now open for visitors. It was not accessible for around 125 days due to safety concerns. During the closure, it offered enough time to the civil engineering department at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kozhikode to conduct an interim safety report, and outlined necessary safety measures. After these recommendations were implemented, the bridge was given approval to reopen. Situated at Kolahalamedu, the 3,600-ft-high glass bridge is famed for offering panoramic views, allowing visitors to spot distant areas like Kuttikkal, Kokkayar, and Mundakayam. There is also an adventure park nearby, which features attractions like sky cycling, sky wing, a giant swing, sky roller, zipline, and rocket injector which adds to the thrill of the experience. The glass bridge itself is 40 m long and has a maximum capacity of 15 people at a time. On its reopening day, around 600 tourists visited the site. According to Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Secretary Jitheesh Jose, stricter safety checks will be enforced in line with the NIT’s recommendations.

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Himachal aims for green public transport, unveils plan for fully electric fleet by 2025

Himachal Pradesh is all set to shift toward green public transport. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu recently announced an ambitious plan to transition the state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) to a fully electric fleet by March 2025. This was announced at the HRTC's golden jubilee festivities, which were attended by important dignitaries including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Sukhu acknowledged the HRTC's enormous contribution to the state's growth and added how it has contributed to become a reliable and comfortable means of transportation over Himachal's winding roads. The Chief Minister acknowledged the efforts and commitment of HRTC staff members, attributing the company's fifty years of success to their hard work and dedication. During the ceremony, a number of significant announcements were made, one of which being the prompt payment of salary and pensions to HRTC staff and retirees on October 28. Additionally, the government will allocate INR 50 crore to cover 55 months of overdue overtime payments, with the aim of settling these by March 31, 2025. Pending medical bills, totaling INR 9 crore, will also be cleared within two months, reflecting the government's focus on employee welfare. The Chief Minister explained the need to use electric vehicles in place of HRTC's fossil fuel-powered buses, which will help in improving the corporation’s financial health, and will also help to reduce environmental impact. He asked the HRTC to plan for the next 50 years, while sharing his personal memories with regard to the corporation’s achievements. Significant strides have already been made under the current government. Around 7,300 HRTC employees have benefited from the old pension scheme (OPS), 1,546 contract employees have been regularised, and 608 new jobs have been created, with 550 more positions soon to be filled. Additionally, 421 employees have received promotions, signalling the government’s commitment to staff development.

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Mumbai Metro launches eco-friendly WhatsApp ticketing

In a bid to enhance commuter convenience, Maha Mumbai Metro Operations Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL) has launched a WhatsApp- based ticketing service which was inaugurated by women commuters as part of the ongoing Navratri celebrations. This innovative service, now available to passengers on Metro Lines 2A and 7, allows commuters to purchase tickets directly through WhatsApp. eliminating the need for paper tickets and providing a seamless, user- friendly experience, reads the MMMOCL release. Commuters can simply send a 'Hi' to the dedicated WhatsApp number 86526 35500 or scan the QR code displayed at stations to purchase tickets via a conversational interface. This service covers all stations and lines operated by Maha Mumbai Metro, offering a new level of digital convenience to Mumbai's metro network. The WhatsApp-based ticketing system is expected to drive digital ticketing adoption, streamline commuter journeys, and offer an eco- friendly alternative to paper tickets. According to MMMOCL, this integration will significantly enhance the travel experience for millions of commuters across Mumbai by providing quick ticket purchases and easy access to past transactions.

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Concert tourism on rise: Diljit Dosanjh's Dil-Luminati tour sparks flight booking surge

India is witnessing a rising trend in concert tourism, with fans traveling across cities to attend live performances by their favorite artists. The latest example of this phenomenon is the surge in flight bookings across Indian cities, driven by Punjabi music sensation Diljit Dosanjh's Dil- Luminati tour. According to data from World on a Holiday by RateGain, cities like Hyderabad and Guwahati have seen extraordinary spikes in flight bookings, with increases of 295 per cent and 281 per cent, respectively. Fans are flocking to these destinations to catch a glimpse of Diljit's electrifying live performances, creating a ripple effect across the travel industry. Indore and Pune have also experienced siguificar govedi in figtir demand, with 179 per cent and 100 per cent inseases in Broskiing. Even quieter markets like Ahmedabad and Chandigarh have seen impressive rises of 73 per cent and 67 per cent, reflecting the broad actionadament of Dosanjh's concerts. This surge in travel indicates a growing trend of "concert tourism," where fans are not just attending local shows but are willing to travel across states and regions to experience live performances. As cultural events and music festivals grow in popularity, they are driving significant boosts to the hospitality and airline sectors, with fans booking flights, hotels, and other services around these events.

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Uttarakhand Tourism Launches Pilgrimage To Witness Mount Kailash From India

Uttarakhand Tourism has launched 'Mount Kailash Darshan from Indian Soil' pilgrimage under which the pilgrims can now witness the Mount Kailash from the Old Lipulekh Peak along with Om Parvat in the Pittoragarh district of the state. The first batch of pilgrims started on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2 and witnessed the majestic Mount Kailash on October 3, from Old Lipulekh Peak along with Om Parvat. The pilgrims will visit Adi Kailash from Gunji Pithoragarh on October 4 before returning to Pithoragarh, according to the CMO. The package includes helicopter tickets from Pithoragarh to Gunji and back with accommodation at KMVN or homestays, the CMO added. Neeraj Manohar Lal Chowksey and Mohini Neeraj Chowksey from Bhopal, who were part of the first batch of five pilgrims, were overwhelmed at the sight of the abode of their deity. Neeraj Chowksey expressed his gratitude towards the government for opening of this route and said that will become a boon for Shiva devotees from all across the globe. Amandeep Kumar Jindal from Chandigarh thanked his good fortune and said that due to clear weather they could get a very clear darshan of Mount Kailash from Old Lipulekh. The point from where Mount Kailash is clearly visible, was discovered a few months ago by a team of officials from Uttarakhand Tourism, BRO and ITBP; after which necessary preparations were made by the Uttarakhand Tourism department to start a package tour covering darshan of Mount Kailash, Adi Kailash and Om Parvat all from Indian soil.

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