News

Delhi traffic advisory: Major disruptions on key routes today from 4 to 8 PM

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an important advisory for commuters, warning of substantial traffic disruptions on several major routes due to special traffic arrangements today. Road closures and regulated vehicular movements are expected between 4 pm and 8 pm, urging travellers to plan their journeys with care and anticipate delays. According to the advisory posted on the Delhi Traffic Police's official X handle, the following roads will experience significant traffic interruptions: - Mehrauli – Badarpur Road (from Khanpur to Karni Singh Shooting Range) - Entire Alaknanda Road/Indermohan Bhardwaj Marg - Outer Ring Road (from Savitri Flyover to Chirag Delhi) - Ravidas Marg (from Hamdard to Tara T-Point) - Internal Roads around DDA Park Sangam Vihar These disruptions are part of a coordinated effort to manage traffic flow effectively and ensure safety during the specified period. The Delhi Traffic Police have urged commuters to avoid these routes if possible and to utilise public transport, particularly the Metro rail services, to minimise congestion on the roads. "Commuters are requested to cooperate by avoiding/bypassing the above-mentioned roads, if possible, and by making maximum use of public transport, especially Metro services," the advisory stated. The general public is also advised to allow for extra travel time when navigating the affected areas and to stay informed of real-time traffic updates via the Delhi Traffic Police's social media channels. In addition to the road closures, authorities have advised residents and visitors to keep sufficient time in hand for their travel plans and to remain patient as these measures are implemented. The traffic arrangements are expected to affect a wide range of commuters, including daily office goers, school transport, and local residents. Local businesses, schools, and transport services are also advised to take note of the traffic advisory to adjust their schedules accordingly. The aim is to reduce the impact of the disruptions and facilitate a smoother transition during the peak hours of road closures. For continuous updates, commuters are encouraged to monitor the Delhi Traffic Police's official X handle and other communication platforms. By adhering to the advisory and opting for public transport, the public can help alleviate traffic pressure and contribute to the efficient management of the city's traffic during this period.

Read more

Heavy rains in Kerala: Emergency measures launched statewide

As heavy rains continue to hit Kerala, the state government has initiated emergency measures to mitigate potential risks and ensure public safety. In response to the escalating weather conditions, emergency operation centres have been established in all district collectorates and taluk offices across the state. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan highlighted the critical need for stringent regulations, particularly in hilly regions, where the risk of landslides are large. As per reports, there is the looming threat of mudslides on roads, combined with heavy rainfall. To preemptively address these hazards, the government plans to install safety boards in areas prone to landslides, serving as crucial warnings for travellers. Moreover, district collectors have been instructed to impose night travel bans in hilly terrains if necessary to ensure public safety. The government has also opened 24x7 emergency operation centres across all collectorates and taluk offices to tackle any emergency situations. There are also reports of widespread waterlogging, uprooted trees, and snapped electric wires in various parts of the state. If reports are to go by, Health Minister Veena George has issued a warning about potential outbreak of epidemics amid the persistent heavy rains. The Health Department has issued alerts to all districts, urging heightened vigilance and preparedness. Hospitals have been placed on high alert, with measures in place to ensure an adequate supply of essential medicines and medical supplies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts, including Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Alappuzha, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall until May 21. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall until Tuesday. In light of these warnings, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged the public to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant. The authority has introduced different alert levels, with a red alert signalling rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, an orange alert indicating rainfall between 6 cm and 20 cm, and a yellow alert denoting rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm. Amidst these challenging circumstances, the government continues to monitor the situation closely, with a concerted focus on safeguarding lives and property. Collaborative efforts between various agencies are underway to ensure a comprehensive response to the ongoing weather-related challenges in Kerala.

Read more

UK Graduate Route Visa: What it means for Indian students?

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent decision to discontinue the Graduate Route visa as part of efforts to curb migration has sparked significant backlash from both cabinet members and international students. As per reports, this controversial move has raised serious concerns about its negative effects on the UK's higher education system and the well-being of foreign students, particularly those from India. Understanding the Graduate Route visa The Graduate Route visa was introduced by the UK government in July 2021, and since then, it has been a crucial pathway for international students. As per this visa rules, a student can remain in the UK for at least two years post-graduation, and three years in case of those with PhD qualifications. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must be in the UK on a Short Term Study Visa or General Student Visa (Tier 4). The applicants will also be required to have their course completion confirmed by their education provider. Coming back to the Graduate Route visa, as per rule, as long as the visa is valid, graduates can work, freelance, pursue further education, and potentially go for a 'skilled worker' visa in case they get employment in the UK. The Graduate Route visa has, no doubt, been significant for Indian students for several reasons, with work opportunities and bringing their families to the UK being on top of the list. Here, it is important to note that Indian students make up for 42% of the total Graduate Route visas granted between 2021 and 2023. Needless to say, this visa is one of the most popular ones among Indian students. Discontinuation of the visa therefore raises alarm bells for Indian students. If reports are to go by, Migration Advisory Committee Chair Professor Brian Bell, emphasised that Indian students would be the most affected by any restrictions on the Graduate Route. Since the visa is one of the driving forces behind Indian students' decision to choose the UK for higher education, its discontinuation could have adverse effects on the higher education system. As per Bell’s findings, the visa plays an important role in attracting and retaining talented individuals, which in turn benefits the UK economy and academic institutions. The discontinuation of the Graduate Route visa stands as a pivotal issue, reflecting tensions between migration policy and the UK's commitment to being a global hub for education.

Read more

No passport needed? Understanding Italy’s new technology

Travelers might typically worry about forgetting their passport, but at two Italian airports, this concern may soon be obsolete. Milan’s Linate Airport and Catania Airport in Sicily are trialing a groundbreaking facial recognition system called FaceBoarding. Developed by the French IT company Thales, this technology enables passengers to move through security checkpoints using only their faces, promising a streamlined and efficient airport experience. Key Features: Developer: Thales, a French IT company. Airports: Milan’s Linate Airport and Catania Airport in Sicily. Airlines: ITA Airways and Scandinavian Airlines. How FaceBoarding Works FaceBoarding is designed to be a simple, fast, and secure process. Passengers can register for FaceBoarding after checking in online or at the airport. Registration involves scanning one’s passport, boarding pass, and face at designated kiosks. By June, an app will also be available to facilitate this process from home. Once registered, passengers can use dedicated FaceBoarding lanes at each security checkpoint. Registration Steps: Check-In: Online or at the airport. Scan: Passport, boarding pass, and face. FaceBoarding Lanes: Separate lanes at security checks. This trial will run until December 2025, and passengers can register for one or multiple flights during this period. However, it is important to note that passengers must still carry their passports and boarding passes, as they remain essential for identification throughout the journey. New EU Travel Rules for British Tourists Amidst these technological advancements, British holidaymakers should also be aware of new EU travel regulations coming into effect. The Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) will automate the registration of travelers from non-EU countries each time they cross an EU border. This system will record the traveler’s name, travel document type, biometric data, and entry and exit dates and locations. This change follows the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. EES Highlights: Registration: Automated system for non-EU travelers. Data Collected: Name, document type, biometric data, entry/exit dates. Impact: Replaces manual passport stamping. Additionally, travelers will need to purchase a visa waiver to visit EU and Schengen countries. These changes are set to modernize and streamline the border crossing process, although the exact implementation date has yet to be confirmed. London Heathrow’s TimeSlot Initiative For those not traveling to Italy, London Heathrow Airport offers another innovative solution for a quick airport experience. The TimeSlot initiative allows passengers to schedule their security screening time in advance. Travelers can book a time slot a few days before their trip and receive a QR code. At the airport, they can head to the designated signposted area, bypassing the usual queues. This service is free and can be booked for groups of up to five people. TimeSlot Features: Booking: Schedule security time in advance. QR Code: Receive a QR code for the designated area. Group Booking: Available for up to five people. Timing: Latest booking 90 minutes before long-haul flights, 60 minutes before short-haul flights. Innovations in airport technology like FaceBoarding and initiatives like Heathrow’s TimeSlot are revolutionizing the travel experience. These advancements promise smoother, more efficient airport procedures, enhancing the overall convenience for travelers. Meanwhile, new EU travel regulations for British tourists will modernize border crossings, making international travel more straightforward. As technology and regulations evolve, the travel and tourism industry continues to adapt, offering improved experiences for globetrotters worldwide.

Read more

Ooty e-pass and rain: Businesses suffer, flower show uneventful

Commercial establishments and businesses face setbacks after the e-pass system was launched in Ooty. Shop owners say they had spent hefty amounts to stock up their shops before the tourism season. However, now, they cannot earn even Rs 5,000 a day. Some of these shops had been earning a daily income of Rs 25,000 – 50,000 in the previous years. There are 28 shops, between Nadukaani Valley and Nadukaani Junction, that sell Ooty tea leaves, dry fruits, and other unique items. Most tourists who reach the various tourist spots in the Nilgiris often visit these shops too. During the season, these shops would be crowded with customers during the day and night. However, since the introduction of the e-pass system, these shops barely see any visitors. Uneventful Flower Show Those who had booked rooms in the city had to cancel the bookings in huge numbers as the e-pass was launched at the time of the iconic flower show, which is also the busiest season in Ooty. This has caused severe losses for those who are running resorts here on lease. Moreover, the flower show, which was expected to draw at least 30,000 visitors in a day, turned out to be pretty uneventful, as even half of the number didn’t turn up at the venue. It began on May 10 and is on till May 20, from 9 am to 7 pm. On Saturday, the Ooty train service was also suspended following heavy rainfall and rocks falling on the tracks near Kallar station. The administration has also requested tourists to defer their trips to Ooty till May 20 due to inclement weather. E-pass Other than local residents and tourists who enter Ooty via government buses, everyone should mandatorily take e-passes to enter the hill station. Those planning to visit the spot before June 30 should apply for it on the e-pass website. Date of entry and exit, purpose of visit, address, number of passengers, vehicle, and fuel type are the details passengers should enter on the website. The e-pass will have a QR code, which will be scanned at the entry points of Ooty and Kodaikanal.

Read more

Memorial Day weekend 2024 could break travel records

Despite another month of spring technically still ahead, travelers often view Memorial Day weekend as an unofficial kickoff to the summer season — and traffic notoriously reflects that. Based on current forecasts, travel around the upcoming 2024 holiday next Monday, May 27, is not expected to relieve Memorial Day of its bad reputation for drivers and airline passengers. They may actually find themselves on some of the busiest highways and flights they've seen in decades. The American Automobile Association, or AAA, warned of potentially unprecedented congestion on roads this weekend, along with airports that could be even more crowded than in years past. The organization, which looks at various economic factors and partners with other groups to project travel conditions, announced earlier this month that an estimated 43.8 million people across the United States would likely travel at least 50 miles from Thursday to Monday. That would mark a 4% increase in overall travel compared with 2023, according to AAA. It would also come close to the busiest Memorial Day weekend on record, which happened in 2005 when 44 million people left home for the holiday. "We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of the travel division at AAA, in a statement. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead." For those planning to hit the road or board a plane this weekend, here's what to know. Prepare to hit traffic Memorial Day weekend in 2024 is expected to set a new record for road trips, according to AAA. The organization has estimated that 38.4 million people will travel in cars over the course of the weekend, which would be the biggest number recorded around this particular holiday since the group first started keeping track of Memorial Day travel patterns in 2000. Car rental company Hertz told AAA that demand for rentals this year will be highest in Atlanta, Boston, Las Vegas and Orlando, with most renters scheduled to pick up their cars on Thursday and Friday. In general, drivers hoping to beat the traffic, or at least face less of it, should avoid the roads during afternoon hours on any day of the long weekend. Citing transit data from INRIX, AAA said the worst times to travel by car, in any U.S. time zone, are between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday. The best times to drive will be before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Thursday, before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Friday, before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m. on Saturday, before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and after 7 p.m. on Monday. Airports will be crowded Airports across the country are bracing for another spike in travelers, following an upward trend in flights booked around Memorial Day since last year's air travel numbers exceeded pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 3.51 million people are projected to fly this weekend, according to AAA, which is up from 3.35 million who traveled on planes to their destinations last year. If as many people fly as expected, this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when AAA said 3.64 million people caught flights for the holiday. United Airlines said more than 500,000 people are expected to fly each day from Thursday to Tuesday, which would be the airline's busiest Memorial Day weekend on record. Delta said 3 million people are expected to fly on its planes over that six-day period and American Airlines said it expects 3.9 million people to fly over the weekend. Public transportation tips Any of the projected 1.9 million people who use public transit systems to get to where they're going this weekend can plan ahead, too. INRIX projections show metro riders will face a degree of congestion in major cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Congestion on metros is expected to peak in those places in the late afternoon, early evening and mid-morning each day between Thursday and Monday. Forecasts suggest D.C., Los Angeles, Houston and Tampa will see the largest jumps in metro crowding compared with their respective norms. The worst is projected for one route from Gainesville to Tampa, where INRIX said metro congestion on Sunday at 9 a.m. local time could be 88% higher than usual.

Read more