News

Reduced travel time between Thane, Mumbai and Pune, Konkan

Chief minister Eknath Shinde, late Monday, inaugurated the Panvel-bound arm of the ambitious Shil Phata flyover project on the Old Mumbai Pune Highway (NH-48). The Thane-bound arm will be inaugurated in the next few months, officials informed. The Mumbra Panvel highway is a crucial connector linking North Western Mumbai suburbs like Borivali, Vasai-Virar, Gujarat, Thane with Navi Mumbai, JNPT, Konkan, Pune and even South India. The stretch not just sees heavy freight carrying traffic but also domestic vehicles that use the stretch to cross over to neighbouring Kalyan-Dombivli and Badlapur suburbs. The area is likely to witness more traffic in the coming years thanks to a spate of residential complex constructions and developmental works including a bullet train station coming up in the vicinity. The opening up of the three-lane Panvel-bound arm will ensure faster travel time towards Navi Mumbai, Pune and Konkan from Mumbai and Thane as vehicles will no longer have to endure waiting time at the congested Shil Phata junction thereby saving crucial minutes in their journey. An average waiting time at the junction was anywhere between 10-20 minutes, complained regulars. The Rs 45.68 crores worth project constitutes of a dual carriageway, with each arm having three lanes adding up to a width of 12 metres. One arm of the dual carriageway will serve Panvel bound traffic while the other will ferry traffic towards Thane. The 24m wide flyover is 739.5 metres long and has a 300 metres viaduct for vehicle crossing over to and from Mahape. While Shinde said the flyover will ease the transport infrastructure in the metropolitan region, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA said the flyover will ensure less time taken to cross the stretch which means reduction in fuel consumption and ensuring traffic decongestion. Local residents and frequent commuters have welcomed the project saying it will end the menace of waiting for several minutes at the Shil junction. “Often, we used to get late for work as it used to take lot of time for the traffic to get cleared here. We feel the bridge was the need of the hour to reduce the travel time between Mumbai and the suburbs too,” said a commuter.

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British Airways to resume Israel flights in April

British Airways is to become the latest major European airline to resume flights to Israel with services set to restart on 1 April. The UK-based carrier plans to operate four flights per week between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv. But the outbound service from Heathrow will involve a 45-minute stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, to allow a crew change as BA staff will not be allowed to stay in Tel Aviv on safety grounds. “We've taken the commercial decision to move Tel Aviv to our short-haul network when we restart our flights on 1 April,” said BA in a statement. “This aligns these flights with other similar length flights we operate, and we'll keep this decision under review.” Like many European airlines, BA suspended flights to Tel Aviv when war broke out between Israel and terrorist group Hamas in early October. Other European carriers including Lufthansa Group’s airlines and Air France have already restored services to Israel. Although fellow UK carrier Virgin Atlantic has decided not to resume flights to Israel until early September. “After careful consideration, we have taken the decision to extend our pause on flying to and from Tel Aviv up to and including 4 September 2024,” added Virgin Atlantic in a statement.

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Restrictions imposed at Mumbai airport to ease congestion, flights cancelled

In response to escalating congestion at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the Central Government has imposed flight restrictions aimed at easing airspace congestion, it has been learnt from an ANI report. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has cited various factors contributing to the congestion, including excessive slot distribution and non-scheduled flight operations during peak hours. Despite a surge in air traffic following the pandemic, the airport failed to implement sufficient measures, according to the Ministry, states the report. The directive to reduce flights was issued to Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), operated by the Adani Group, after it allegedly neglected to address the issue of excessive slot distribution. The Ministry, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, highlighted the significant delays caused by congestion, with flights forced to hover over the city for up to 60 minutes. An analysis by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) revealed that air traffic during peak hours was comparable to off-peak hours, exacerbated by non-scheduled flights and military operations. The ministry underscored the responsibility of MIAL to regulate air traffic but intervened due to a lack of action. Effective January 2, 2024, the AAI issued a notice restricting air traffic movement during peak hours, aiming to reduce congestion and enhance safety and efficiency.

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Odisha's Gupteswar Forest declared the state’s 4th Biodiversity Heritage Site

Good news from Odisha. The pristine Gupteswar Forest, which lies adjacent to the Gupteswar Shiva temple in Odisha's Koraput district, has officially been designated as the fourth Biodiversity-Heritage Site (BHS) in the state. Spread over a vast area of 350 hectares, the site features sacred groves revered by the local community and is endowed with a diverse range of flora and fauna. As per the biodiversity inventory and survey conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board, the site serves as home to a remarkable array of faunal species, including 28 species of mammals, 18 species of amphibians, 188 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 141 species of butterflies, 45 species of fishes, 43 species of moths, 41 species of odonates, 30 species of spiders, 20 species of lower invertebrates, and six species of scorpions. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced that farmers would march towards Delhi to press the government on their demands. Primary among these demands is the enactment of a law ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Other issues include the repeal of the Electricity Act 2020, compensation for farmers killed in Lakhimpur Kheri, and the withdrawal of cases against those involved in the farmers' movement.

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Delhi: Red Fort shuts down temporarily for visitors amid farmers protest

As per the latest news reports, the historical Red Fort in Delhi has been sealed off amid escalating tensions surrounding the farmer protests gripping the national capital. In response to queries about the reopening of the 17th-century monument, the senior official stated, "The decision rests with the security agencies." Reports add that security measures in Delhi have been heightened, featuring multi-layer barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails, and container walls at border points. These measures aim to prevent the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers from entering the national capital on Tuesday, following inconclusive talks between farm leaders and the Centre. The Shambhu border point, a critical juncture for farmers heading to Delhi as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' movement, has become a focal point of unrest. A senior official stated that the Red Fort complex is currently closed to visitors, and its reopening depends on the decisions of security agencies. Delhi is now fortified with increased security measures, including multiple barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails, and container walls at border points, aiming to thwart the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers. The events mirror the unsettling scenes of January 26, 2021, when protesting farmers breached barricades, leading to chaos and riots in the national capital. On that day, police and paramilitary personnel were seen scrambling over a 15-foot wall at the Red Fort complex to escape attackers armed with lathis. Fast forward to the present day, tear gas was deployed against farmers gathered at the Punjab-Haryana border, resulting in a chaotic scene with thick smoke obstructing visibility. Hundreds of farmers and media personnel fled in response to the tear gas shells.

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Vietnam bags the prestigious title of the /World's Leading Heritage Destination 2023'

In a recent achievement, Vietnam has bagged the title of "World's Leading Heritage Destination 2023"! The country received global recognition as the premier heritage destination in the world, securing the esteemed title at the World Travel Awards. Beyond its breathtaking natural landscapes of mountains, forests, and islands, Vietnam's cultural heritage draws countless visitors, contributing significantly to its tourism appeal. This marks a significant milestone for the country's tourism industry in all senses. The recognition resonates with the authentic experiences travellers encounter in Vietnam, where heritage sites have become integral to international visitors' exploration of the country's distinctive "S-shaped" geography. This accolade further elevates Vietnam's standing in the global tourism arena, emphasizing its unique cultural offerings and historical significance. However, maintaining this prestigious title necessitates continual innovation in tourism experiences to prolong the stays of international guests. Looking ahead to 2024, Vietnam's tourism sector faces a pivotal juncture. The country has set ambitious goals to enhance its appeal and transform tourism into a leading, environmentally sustainable economic driver by 2030. This signals a concerted effort to capitalise on Vietnam's tourism potential while ensuring long-term viability and responsible stewardship of its natural and cultural heritage.

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