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Jabalpur to get air connectivity from Delhi & Mumbai from March ‘24

In order to expand air services in Madhya Pradesh, the direct flight from Delhi to Jabalpur and Mumbai to Jabalpur will be restarted from next month. The flight connecting Jabalpur to Delhi and Mumbai will be operated by SpiceJet. The direct flight from Delhi to Jabalpur will start from 1st March 2024. The flight service between Delhi- Jabalpur will be operated two days a week starting from 1st March, 2024. The flight service between Mumbai-Jabalpur will be operated from 2nd March, 2024. Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia said, “I am delighted that with the support of SpiceJet, Jabalpur will get additional connectivity to Mumbai and Delhi.” “This will not only ensure an easy and time-saving travel experience for the people of Jabalpur but also enhance trade, commerce and employment opportunities. The Jabalpur Airport is also set to get a new Terminal Building, being built at a cost of Rs. 412 crore which will further give new energy to travel and economic growth,” he added.

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₹3.6kcr Initiative to Develop Lakshadweep into Tourist Destination

The Indian government has outlined a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade plan, allocating over ₹3,600 crores, aimed at developing the Lakshadweep islands into a thriving tourist hub. According to sources familiar with the development, the plan includes the enhancement of ports, construction of peripheral roads, and establishment of beachfront facilities, among other initiatives. Key highlights of the plan include the development of port facilities at Androth, Kalpeni, and Kadamat islands, along with the construction of beachfront and peripheral roads at Kadamat Island (East), Agatti Island (East), and Kavaratti Island. Funding for these projects and others will be sourced from the Sagarmala scheme, designed for port development, as confirmed by a senior government official. A total of 13 projects have been identified across the 36 Lakshadweep islands, spread over 32 square kilometers and situated 220-440 kilometers off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. The initiative aligns with the government's emphasis on bolstering domestic tourism, as highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her interim budget speech. She emphasized the importance of enhancing port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities on India's islands, including Lakshadweep, to stimulate employment generation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep further underscored the government's commitment to the islands' development. However, the visit stirred controversy after derogatory comments about Modi were made by three Maldivian deputy ministers, sparking outrage on social media. Despite its natural beauty, Lakshadweep currently lacks sufficient infrastructure and amenities to accommodate large numbers of tourists. The ambitious plan seeks to address these shortcomings and position Lakshadweep as a premier tourist destination. Sagarmala, launched in July 2015, plays a pivotal role in the country's port-led development strategy. The scheme focuses on leveraging India's extensive coastline, navigable waterways, and strategic maritime trade routes. Under Sagarmala, projects with high social impact but low financial returns are eligible for funding support. According to Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, numerous projects have already been completed or are underway, with significant investments earmarked for further development under the scheme.

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Direct flight from Mumbai to Srinagar by Akasa Air soon

Srinagar, Feb 07: To initiate direct flights from Mumbai to Srinagar, Akasa Air has recently announced the inclusion of Srinagar into its extensive flight network. With this expansion, slated to commence operations from March 1, 2024, Akasa Air will bridge the skies between Mumbai and Srinagar. “This development marks a significant milestone for Akasa Air as it ventures into the serene landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby amplifying its domestic presence in the northern region of the country.” Its officials stated this while announcing the flight. Commenting on the announcement, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Akasa said, “We are thrilled to announce operations from Srinagar, our 20th destination in the network. Known for its picturesque mountains and enchanting valleys, Srinagar has witnessed an uptick in domestic and international tourism and our flight launch will further boost economic activity in the region.” Akasa Air is in growth mode and has achieved a milestone of adding 20 destinations to our network in just 17 months of operations, becoming the fastest-growing airline in the history of Indian aviation.” The launch of operations in Srinagar aligns with Akasa Air's ethos of providing industry-leading and customer-friendly services. With innovative offerings such as Pets on Akasa and the renowned Café Akasa menu, the airline is committed to delivering a warm, friendly and inclusive travel experience for its passengers. “We are excited to bring the Akasa experience to Srinagar, a city with immense tourism and commercial significance as we expand and strengthen our footprint across the country. Since its inception, our industry-leading and customer-friendly products and services such as Pets on Akasa and the popular Café Akasa menus, backed by our signature Akasa experience, have made a positive impact while creating a warm, friendly and inclusive travel experience, Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Akasa Air said. The move of Akasa Air is posed to increase tourism in the Kashmir Valley, as this flight will also fly daily. The tourism stakeholder has expressed their hope and stated that the more destinations are content with the valley, the more people will visit Paradise.

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India issues advisory against travelling to Myanmar’s Rakhine state amid escalating crisis

Amid the escalating tensions in Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a directive, urging Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to the Rakhine state. If reports are to go by, the MEA advised Indians currently residing in the Rakhine state to also evacuate the area as soon as they can. In an official release, the MEA highlighted the deteriorating security situation, disruptions in telecommunications, including landlines, and a severe scarcity of essential commodities as key factors prompting the advisory. The statement stressed the critical need for Indian citizens to avoid travel to the Rakhine state and advised immediate departure of those already present, considering the challenging conditions prevailing on the ground. The advisory from the MEA regarding the Rakhine state aligns with India's broader strategic move to strengthen border security, especially in the wake of the escalating tensions in Myanmar. The country has been grappling with widespread protests demanding the restoration of democracy since the military coup on February 1, 2021. Notably, the Rakhine state, along with several other regions, has witnessed intense clashes between armed ethnic groups and the ruling junta since October of the preceding year. The heightened hostilities have raised concerns in New Delhi, particularly regarding the security of Manipur and Mizoram. With the Myanmarese military resorting to airstrikes against opposition forces, the situation remains grim, prompting India to take proactive measures to safeguard its citizens and secure the border region.

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Share to whatsapp Kashmir's Aharbal witnesses a surge in tourist arrivals amidst recent snowfall

Aharbal, a pretty but a lesser-known hill station in the Kashmir Valley, experienced massive snowfall recently which resulted in heavy tourists in flow. The hill station, noted for its spectacular waterfall, is often dubbed as the Niagara Falls of Kashmir. An official mentioned that Aharbal, about 27 km from Kulgam town in south Kashmir, is attracting both local residents and visitors from afar after the fresh snowfall. He noted that the tourist spot experienced a remarkable surge in visitors last year, with a record-breaking 310,000 tourists, marking a significant threefold increase compared to previous years. Aharbal is a famous tourist destination in Kashmir, known for its stunning waterfall, picturesque landscapes, and lush greenery. It is located in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. The waterfall is formed by the Veshu River, cascading down from a height of about 25 m amidst dense forests and meadows. The hill station is also a popular spot for picnics, trekking, and nature walks, attracting visitors from all over the world. It offers a serene and tranquil environment, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

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Palace on Wheels to start offering tours to Ayodhya, Kashi, and Varanasi from May

As per the latest development, the famous luxury train, Palace on Wheels, is all set to alter its route after 42 years. If reports are to go by, this luxury train will now be making a historic journey to the sacred city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Having earned the fame of the world's second most luxurious train, Palace on Wheels officials announced a shift in focus, introducing religious tours starting from May. If reports are to go by, the six-day spiritual journey will commence in Delhi, and take travellers across Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, and Vrindavan. While previously operational for eight months annually, the Palace on Wheels, under the new management, aims to extend its services year-round. The religious tours, initially scheduled for a two-month period, seek to attract local tourists with flexible itineraries and discounted rates for specific destinations. Cube Construction Company has committed to an annual payment of INR 5 crore to the RTDC for operating the Palace on Wheels, along with a share of 18% of the total turnover. The recent INR 7 crore refurbishment marks the train's fourth-generation upgrade, overseen by the Gujarat-based company.

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