News

Zoji La is now open for vehicular movement; to ease travel from J&K to Ladakh

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened the Zoji La, which serves as a crucial lifeline for Ladakh via Srinagar, for vehicular traffic. This route has been reopened after remaining buried under snow for 35 days, as compared to 68 days last year. This achievement highlights India's increasing expertise in constructing mountain roads, which holds significant benefits for both border defense and the lives of people in the frontier region. The 439-km Srinagar-Leh road serves as the primary link connecting Ladakh to Jammu & Kashmir and plays a pivotal role in transporting troops and essential supplies in the frontier area. Located at an altitude of 11,540 ft, approximately 100 km from Srinagar, Zoji La pass used to remain closed for about 160-180 days during winter seasons in previous years. However, due to the government's focus on enhancing border connectivity and the deployment of advanced machinery, the duration of closure has reduced in recent years. Located at an altitude of 11,540 ft, approximately 100 km from Srinagar, Zoji La pass used to remain closed for about 160-180 days during winter seasons in previous years. However, due to the government's focus on enhancing border connectivity and the deployment of advanced machinery, the duration of closure has reduced in recent years. This has been especially crucial following the Galwan border clashes with the Chinese army in May 2020. Furthermore, the reopening of the pass facilitates the transportation of civilian and essential supplies via road transport, thereby reducing the reliance on expensive air freight. It also offers a more economical travel option for residents returning home and guest workers, compared to the costly flights that become the sole means of travel during heavy snowfall and road closures. The successful clearance of challenging mountain passes highlights BRO's proficiency in snow-clearing operations. Reports further add that the government is now currently constructing a tunnel beneath Zoji La pass, which is expected to be completed soon. This thermal tunnel will significantly enhance defense preparedness, improve the quality of life for locals, and boost tourism in the region by ensuring uninterrupted connectivity throughout the year.

Read more

Vistara takes delivery of 7th wide-body Boeing aircraft.

  • Mar 30,2024
  • e

Full service carrier Vistara on Thursday said it has received the delivery of the seventh wide-body Boeing 787-9 plane, thus completing the order it had placed for 56 aircraft in 2018. The airline has now a total of 70 Dreamliner aircraft. Vistara, which is a 51:49 joint venture airline between India's Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, had announced an order of a total of 56 planes with Airbus and Boeing. "We recently took delivery of our last Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and that's also the 70th aircraft in our fleet. This marks the culmination of the order that we had placed in 2018 for 56 aircraft across Airbus and Boeing," Vistara said in a statement.

Read more

Summer Escapes: Explore India's Enchanting Hill Stations

With the summer season right around the corner, the intent to travel has been on the rise. India’s diverse landscape offers multiple options for travellers seeking a respite from the scorching heat. The hill stations, known for their cool weather, lush greenery, and serene ambience are summer favourites for travellers. Cleartrip recommends some of the most captivating hill stations across India that are ideal for your summer getaway. SrinagarNestled in the magnificent Kashmir Valley, Srinagar boasts of Mughal gardens, sufi shrines and the mesmerizing Dal Lake. Do not forget to explore the Central-Asian style bazaars and mouth-watering Kashmiri delicacies, when in Srinagar. LehThe capital of Ladakh, Leh, acts as a starting point for various treks and expeditions. Encircled by rugged mountains, this destination is home to the Buddhist monasteries of Lamayaru and Alchi. Perched above the town, the Leh Palace provides a glimpse into the region’s regal history. Jammu: Located in the northernmost part of our country, Jammu is blessed with the famous Vaishnodevi temple. Other major tourist attractions in the region include Bahu Fort, Peer Kho Cave, Mansar Lake and Natha Top. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Kishtwar National Park is a must-visit place for you. Himachal: Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh offers a perfect escape for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. Trek through breathtaking trails like Hampta Pass, Triund, and Chandratal, or experience the thrill of mountain biking in Shimla, Manali, and Spiti Valley. Explore ancient temples, monasteries, and quaint villages for a glimpse into vibrant culture. Discover serene lakes, lush forests, and wildlife in spots like Rohtang Pass and Great Himalayan National Park. Himachal Pradesh is an unforgettable journey of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Dharamshala :Graced by the presence of the Dalai Lama, Dharmashala is a vibrant reflection of Tibetan culture. This picturesque destination in Himachal Pradesh houses the Kangra Art Museum, Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang Complex.

Read more

IndiGo starts daily flights on Benglauru-Denpasar route

IndiGo today started daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia. After Jakarta, Denpasar is the second destination in Bali that IndiGo is offering connections to. Flight 6E 1605 departed from Bengaluru at 12.05 a.m. and landed in Denpasar at 10.20 a.m. Flight 6E 1606 departed Denpasar at 11.20 a.m. to reach Bengaluru at 3.15 p.m. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce the commencement of direct flights between Bengaluru and Bali, one of the extremely popular destinations amongst tourists. Bali is the second destination in Indonesia to join our 6E network, after Jakarta, and offers an enhanced range of travel options. This new connection will play a key role in strengthening ties between India and Indonesia while promoting tourism and fostering potential business collaborations. IndiGo remains committed to delivering on its promise of affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience across an unparalleled network.”

Read more

Air India Express to add more services in the Muscat – Kannur route from April 1

Muscat: Air India Express has announced that it would increase the number of services between Muscat and Kannur in Kerala. As per the latest schedule, there will be six weekly services from April 1 onwards. Meanwhile, the service from Muscat to Thiruvananthapuram has been upgraded to daily service. The airline will operate services from Muscat to Kannur on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, the aeroplane that departs at 9.45 am from Muscat would arrive in Kannur at 2.45 pm. Meanwhile, on Thursdays, the departure is at 7.35 am and the arrival is at 12.30 pm. The aeroplane that departs Muscat at 3.20 am on Fridays arrives in Kannur at 8.15 am. The plane leaves Kannur at 6.45 am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays and reaches Muscat at 8.45 am local time. On Fridays, the departure is at 12.20 am and arrival is at 2.20 am. The Air India Express to Thiruvananthapuram departs Muscat every day at 12.15 pm and arrives in Thiruvananthapuram at 5.40 pm. The aircraft that leaves Thiruvananthapuram at 8.30 am is scheduled to land in Muscat at 11 am .

Read more

Commuters fear longer travel time post VB Express launch

In the past two years, South Western Railway (SWR) introduced five trains on Bengaluru-Mysuru route. Launching trains without proper platform support has resulted in bottleneck problems, both at Mysuru railway station and at Bengaluru station, resulting in excess travel time for passengers. Meanwhile, the proposal to operate the new Vande Bharat Express from Mysuru at 6am starting April 5 has caused a headache among commuters, who fear morning train services may get disrupted further. According to regular passengers, the travel time between the two cities is four hours because of platform congestion. Lakshmi Naidu, a regular early-morning traveller from Mysuru to Bengaluru, said earlier, Chamundi Express used to reach Bengaluru before 9.30am. Now, it reaches at 9.40am or 9.50am, which causes a lot of inconvenience to employees. "The train reaches Kengeri by 8.40am, but from there, it takes nearly an hour to reach KSR," she said. According to commuters, this isn't the story of one train. Most of the trains stop at Ramanagara or Kengeri for an hour. The problem has been reported for the last 2-3 years. However, the agencies concerned aren't finding any solution, said Nagesh K, another regular passenger. S Yogendra of Mysuru Railway Commuters' Forum said that trains are halted on the outskirts of both Mysuru and Bengaluru till they get clearance to enter the station platform, which causes the delay. SWR operates 35 pairs of trains on this route, including express and Memu trains. These trains are essential for the nearly 30,000 passengers who commute daily between Bengaluru and Mysuru, as well as to other destinations along the way. An SWR official said, "Trains to Mysuru start and terminate at various stations, including KSR Bengaluru, Sir M Visvesvaraya, Cantonment, Yeshwantpur, and Yelahanka. At KSR Bengaluru, we use the platforms to their full capacity, which presents difficulties in the arrival and departure. Delays can cause an effect on the schedule of trains on the same route. To mitigate this, the railways has taken up works on extending platforms 5, 6, and 7 under the Gati Shakti scheme. This will enable us to handle more trains smoothly in the future." Yogendra said the decision to operate Vande Bharat Express from Mysuru railway station at 6am is likely to disturb the movement of two popular trains - Chennai Express and Vishwamanav Express - two morning trains from Mysuru to Bengaluru. On this, the official clarified, "As the new service from Mysuru departs early in the morning, it will not encounter any platform issues." (With inputs from Suchith Kidiyoor)

Read more