News

Direct Kolhapur-Tirupati flight to be replaced by connection

The daily direct flight between Kolhapur and Tirupati started in 2018. The flight takes aro 55 minutes, and the aircraft can seat 76 passengers. Aviation activists said the new route Hyderabad) will inconvenience passengers travelling between the two temple cities. “Nea 80% of the passengers travelling between the two destinations are devotees visiting the Mahalaxmi temple for darshan after Tirupati or vice-versa,” said an activist. Public representatives of Kolhapur are urging the Union civil aviation minister to intervene after the authorities announced the discontinuance of the direct flight between Kolhapur and Tirupati from December 14. The private airline that operated the flight, has instead decided to provide a connecting flight via Hyderabad. The public representatives, however, said the direct flight service has a load factor of nearly 80% and should continue daily.Aviation activists said the new route (via Hyderabad) will inconvenience passengers travelling between the two temple cities.“Nearly 80% of the passengers travelling between the two destinations are devotees visiting the Mahalaxmi temple for darshan after Tirupati or vice-versa,” said an activist. Congress MLC Satej Patil said: “I have written to Jyotiraditya Scindia to intervene in this matter immediately. It will be a great loss if the flight service is stopped. It will harm the growth potential of both the cities.” The daily direct flight between Kolhapur and Tirupati started in 2018. The flight takes around 55 minutes, and the aircraft can seat 76 passengers. Shantanu Patil, an aviation expert, said, “Passengers will have to spend at least two-and-a-half hours more to reach Tirupati because of the connecting flight. Continuation of direct flights is necessary for the growth of the airport. Now that major projects, such as runaway extension and new terminal building works, are under way, we need more flights to operate from Kolhapur airport.” It is still uncertain whether the same flight will operate between “We had a direct flight to Ahmedabad, which stopped more than a year ago. Now, Kolhapur is left with direct flights only to Mumbai and Bengaluru,” the expert said.

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Himachal officials prioritise road safety amid tourism boost plans

Recognising the pivotal role of safe and efficient road infrastructure in promoting tourism the Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, underscored the need for strict adherenc safety protocols during road construction. Notably, the tourism surge in Himachal Prades has been remarkable, with over one crore tourists, including domestic and foreign visitor flocking to the state in the first half of 2023. Coming past the effects of devastating floods, Himachal Pradesh is gearing up to amplify its tourism sector. Amidst this endeavour, the state's officials are placing an emphasis on ensuring road safety—a crucial facet in accommodating the anticipated surge in tourist footfall. Recognising the pivotal role of safe and efficient road infrastructure in promoting tourism, the Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, underscored the imperative of exceptional road quality and a top-tier transportation network. Emphasising the significance of pedestrians' awareness in road safety measures, Singh highlighted the potential of awareness campaigns to play a vital role in achieving this objective. Speaking at a seminar focused on raising awareness about road safety, organized jointly by the Public Works Department, the Institution of Engineers, and the Transport Department, Singh stressed the need for strict adherence to safety protocols during road construction. He emphasised that ensuring road quality maintenance is equally crucial, acknowledging the various hazards that exist on the roads. He also emphasised the adoption of engineering techniques geared towards commuter safety. Stressing the importance of collaborative efforts among various departments, he urged the identification and rectification of accident-prone spots, commonly known as black spots. He directed efforts towards public awareness campaigns to highlight the significance of road safety, aiming to collectively reduce the daily occurrences of accidents and mishaps. Moreover, he accentuated the government's commitment to integrating safety engineering techniques, advocating for the incorporation of modern tools and Artificial Intelligence into safety planning. He urged officers to prioritise case studies on safety measures and swiftly adopt contemporary techniques. The evolution of road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh has been significant. From 243 kilometers of roads during the state's formation to connecting every village, the road network now encompasses even the most remote areas, with ongoing efforts to further link the remaining remote corners. Echoing Singh's sentiments, Engineer-in-Chief Ajay Gupta highlighted the post-monsoon refurbishments of roads in the state and emphasised the meticulous attention given to safety measures during road construction. Notably, the tourism surge in Himachal Pradesh has been remarkable, with over one crore tourists, including domestic and foreign visitors, flocking to the state in the first half of 2023. In line with this, the state government is intensifying efforts to also enhance air connectivity by constructing heliports and expanding airports in Shimla, Dharamshala, and Kangra, ensuring easier access to all district headquarters for tourists

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Soon, flyers at Bengaluru airport will not have to put gadgets in tray for security checking

Passengers departing from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru will soon experience a more efficient security screening process, thanks to the introduction of advanced CTX (Computer Tomography X-ray) machines. As the Economic Times had reported earlier, Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of KIA, will soon start the trial of the CTX machine at Terminal 2 of Bengaluru airport. Meanwhile, airport officials told Money Control that after the installation of CTX machine, "passengers will be able to leave their electronic items (laptops, etc.) and LAGs (liquids, aerosols, and gels) in their bags and go through a quicker screening process". Following the installation of the CTX machine, travelers will no longer be required to remove electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops from their bags during security checks. This innovation allows passengers to leave their electronic items and items containing liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) in their bags, streamlining the screening procedure and significantly reducing processing time at security checkpoints. Additionally, the need for a pat-down after passing through metal detectors will be eliminated. The initiative follows the successful trial of CTX machines at Delhi's IGI Airport, which subsequently led to their introduction at Bengaluru airport. The CTX machines, utilising computed tomography technology akin to CT scan machines, create 3D models of passengers' cabin bags. This technology, already implemented in major airports globally, not only accelerates security procedures but also enhances the detection of prohibited items. The Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO) has urged the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to reconsider its year-end deadline for the installation of CTX machines at airports handling over 50 lakh passengers annually. Originally slated for deployment at hypersensitive airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai by December, these machines signify a significant leap forward in security measures at airports.

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Malaysia goes visa-free for Indians

Malaysia is the latest country to join the exciting bandwagon of countries that are offering visa-free entry to Indians. Indians planning a trip to Malaysia can now travel without a visa as the country recently announced its decision to allow visa-free entry for Indian and Chinese citizens. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim announced that this change will be in effect from December 1 for all Indian and Chinese visitors. At present, the Malaysian tourist e-visa for Indians costs INR 3,799 per person. Under the new visa-free rule, Indian travellers can stay for up to 30 days without a visa. However, security screenings to continue for Indian nationals as well. The visa-free plan has been put into place in order to increase the inflow of tourists from the two countries – India and China. It is a well-known fact that India and China are two very big markets for Malaysia. The country is also looking at more investors from these two countries. Now, with a simplified entry process, visitors can now experience seamless travel to Malaysia, which is easily one of the finest tourist destinations in Asia. Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand were the latest countries to allow visa-free entry to Indians, until Malaysia’s entry into the field. However, as of now, countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand have made this visa-free provision for Indians till March 31 and May 10 of the next year, that is, 2024. For now, travellers can make full use of this opportunity. A visa-free travel does not mean, visa-on-arrival or e-visa. It simply means that you book your flight ticket, pack your bags and leave for the destination. There is absolutely zero paperwork involved. It’s just like travelling to any other destination within one’s own country.

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Red aurora spotted in Ladakh skies

In a recent turn of event, the Hanle and Merak observatories in Ladakh have reported spotting red aurora. Last week, the observatories shared pictures of the night sky, which showed a unique phenomenon of red aurora. Those who don’t know, auroras are patterns of bright lights in the sky that are seen when particles ejected by the Sun interact with the earth’s magnetic field. It’s also known as Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. This phenomenon is usually visible near the poles. The Hanle observatory spotted the lights towards the northern horizon. Dorje Angchuk, the engineer in charge of the Halen observatory informed that the red light was seen towards the Northern horizon from “10 pm till midnight of 5 November and its intensity peaked around 10:40 pm”. This is the second aurora light captured by the observatory this year. The first light was spotted on April 23. “The aurora is seen when the plasma released during solar flares interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field. The plasma enters from the poles which is where most of the Aurora is seen. It is mostly not visible in places closer to the equator like India. However, when the event is intense it may be seen,” informed Vemareddy, solar astronomer from Indian Institute of Astrophysics. He further said that spotting aurora light this year is likely more over the next two years. Vemareddy said: “The number of solar flares on the Sun increases and decreases during a 11-year cycle. At present, we are in the ascending phase of the cycle, meaning that there are likely to be more solar flares in the coming year. The peak of the cycle is likely to be reached in 2025, after which the activity will start going down”. Hanle is a perfect spot to observe the phenomenon as it is India’s only dark sky reserve. The observatory, also known as the Indian Astronomical Observatory, is in Hanle village. It is set at an altitude of 4500 m (14,764 ft) above sea level.

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Varanasi to host Dev Deepawali on November 27; more than 12 lakhs lamps to be lit

Varanasi will be celebrating Dev Deepawali on November 27, and is all set to transform the whole of Ganga riverfront in Varanasi into a bright spectacle. As per the news reports, more than 12 lakh lamps will be illuminating the iconic site this year; among these, one lakh lamps crafted from cow dung will contribute to the radiant display. Reports add that the event will not just be limited to traditional lighting; Ganga Dwar of Shri Vishwanath Dham and Chetsingh Ghat will host laser and cracker shows, which will further add a modern touch to the festivities. Anticipating the influx of visitors, including international tourists, the local administration is leaving no stone unturned in preparations for the grand event. Beyond the cleanliness drive along the ghats, comprehensive arrangements are underway, which are overseen by District Magistrate S Rajalingam, who has directed tourism department officials to collaborate with Dev Deepawali committees.In a novel move, this year's celebration will extend its luminosity to the opposite banks of the Ganga. Referring to this, officials have detailed plans to illuminate all 85 ghats with an impressive array of 12 lakh diyas, comprising 11 lakh earthen lamps and an additional 1 lakh diya crafted from cow dung. Adding to the visual spectacle, a captivating light and sound show on mythology will take place on the historical ghats of Kashi. Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, Rajendra Kumar Rawat, shared insights into this attraction, explaining that a light and sound show featuring holographic projections will grace Chet Singh Ghat. The 25-30 minute show, presented at intervals, will narrate the mythological connection between Lord Shiva and Kashi, combining lasers, lights, and music to offer a unique sensory experience. Ahead of the festivities, a meeting with boatmen has also been held to emphasise safety measures. Boat operators were reminded not to navigate under the influence, avoid overloading, display passenger capacity, and ensure the presence of safety equipment. In a proactive move, the police also conducted breathalyser tests for boatmen at various ghats, underscoring the commitment to a safe and joyous celebration of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.

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