Since Wednesday, one of the country’s oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites has been experiencing heavy snowfall.

Due to heavy snowfall, a white sheet of snow is visible on the premises of Badrinath Temple and the surrounding hills.

Another popular pilgrimage site, Kedarnath Temple, remains snow-clad as the area continues to receive snowfall for the second consecutive day.

Surkanda Devi Hills in Uttrakhand is also covered in snow as Tehri Garhwal receives fresh snowfall.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall is being seen in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand.

Earlier, Heavy rain and snowfall are expected in the mountain regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand in the coming days due to a western disturbance, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday.

“We are expecting heavy rain and snowfall in the mountain regions (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand) due to the western disturbance,” Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, told ANI.

He also said that the effect of the western disturbance will also be seen in the plain areas like Haryana, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh.

“We have issued an orange alert for today. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in Punjab and Haryana today. Light rain is expected in Delhi, NCR, and thunderstorms and lightning are also expected today. A thick layer of fog is expected on February 2… A yellow alert has been issued in Delhi, NCR,” Srivastava said. (ANI)

Also Read: Uttarakhand: Badrinath shrine, hill station Auli receive fresh spell of snowfall

Several flights bound for the capital or scheduled to take off from the national capital were delayed or cancelled owing to the prevailing weather.

According to the flight tracking website, Flightradar24, a total of 51 flights were delayed and 11 more cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

Speaking to ANI, a passenger at the Delhi airport said, “I flew in from Goa. My flight was delayed by three hours due to fog. I didn’t expect my arrival to the city to be delayed this long.”

Meanwhile, domestic carrier IndiGo posted an advisory on social media platform X, informing passengers that flight departures and arrivals were likely to be impacted due to the prevailing weather in Delhi and neighbouring Chandigarh.

“#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to inclement weather in #Delhi and #Chandigarh, flight departures and arrivals are likely to be impacted. Please check your flight status at http://bit.ly/2EjJGGT before leaving for the airport,” IndiGo posted on X.

Five flights at the Delhi airport were diverted between 9 pm on Tuesday to 7 am on Wednesday, sources said, adding that three flights were diverted to Jaipur and two more to Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

The airport initiates low visibility procedures (LVP) – measures aimed at making landing for flights easier – when visibility drops below 800 metres.

Visuals from Terminal 3 of the IGIA showed flights shrouded by fog as they were parked on the tarmac.

The Delhi Airport also issued a passenger advisory stating that the flight services were likely to be affected due to the prevailing fog.

“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the advisory read.

The airport authorities initiated the anti-fog landing system, known as the CAT-lll Instrument Landing System (ILS). The CAT IlI system helps with a precision approach and landing when the runway visibility level is low.

Meanwhile, passengers at the Anand Vihar railway station, too, said all Delhi-bound trains arrived eight hours late.

“Our train was delayed by 12-13 hours. It was going at a reduced speed because of the fog,” Ankit, a passenger from Bihar, told ANI.

“We arrived very late. We were scheduled to arrive in Delhi by 8.50 pm, Tuesday, but reached the city at 5.30 in the morning. We could have boarded the next train if we had arrived on time,” another passenger told ANI.

According to the chief public relations officer (CPRO), Northern Railways, a total of 23 trains to Delhi from various parts of the country are running late due to the dense fog.

New Delhi-Moga Express, Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar Express, Ranikamlapathi-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express, Banaras-New Delhi were running late by over two hours while the Puri-New Delhi Express, Hyderabad-New Delhi Express, and Howrah-Kalka Express were delayed by six and a half hours, according to the official.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) pegged the minimum temperature in the national capital at 10°C on Wednesday morning.

The Met office informed further that the minimum temperature in January recorded in the city’s Safdarjung observatory was the second lowest during the past 13 years. (ANI)

Also Read: North India feels the chill, as fog hits flight services, delays 18 Delhi-bound trains

Among the trains running behind schedule owing to inclement weather were the Jammu Tawi-Delhi Express, Howrah-Delhi Dorontho, Howrah-Delhi Rajdhani Express, Bhubaneswar-Delhi Rajdhani Express, Dibrugarh-Delhi Rajdhani Express and the Puri-Delhi Express.

The Rewa-Anand Vihar Terminal, Bhagalpur-Anandvihar Express, Banaras-Delhi Express, Chennai-Delhi Express, Hyderabad-Delhi Express and the Ranikamlapati-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express were also affected by the dog.

Additionally, the Jammu Tawi-Ajmer Express, Delhi-Rajendra Nagar Terminal Express, Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express, Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani, Delhi-Moga Express, Delhi-Mumbai Central Rajdhani and the Nizamuddin-Bengaluru Rajdhani Express were also running late on account of the dog, according to railway officials.

Passengers at the New Delhi Railway Station were stranded as the trains ran behind schedule.

Meanwhile, flight operations were also disrupted at the Delhi airport on account of the thick fog across the national capital on Tuesday morning.

The airport issued an advisory on Tuesday stating that flights not meeting the CAT III (Category III) standards might encounter disturbances during landings and take-offs.

The airport advisory also urged passengers to contact airlines for updated information with regard to the status of flights.

Dense fog has thrown flight services haywire this month, reducing both general and runway visual range visibility.

The prevailing situation has led to a disruption of flight movement, with the visibility falling below the required standards.

Even on Monday, the prevailing fog and cold affected rail and air traffic in the national capital, with several trains and flights delayed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted fog across several parts of the national capital on Tuesday. (ANI)

Also Read: Delhi: Over 170 flights affected, 20 trains delayed due to fog

Addressing a conference of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Garcetti said that India-US trade had gone up sharply to $200 billion a year and he was looking at a target of $500 billion in the near future.

Garcetti said that at a recent meeting of global business leaders in the US, the largest number of participants were from India and this reflected the strengthening ties between the two countries.

Citing the large investments being made in India by US companies such as Boeing and Apple, Garcetti said American companies had created more than 3 million jobs in India.

He said he was looking at the India-US business ties emerging as a two-way relationship in which Indian companies would also be investing in the US to create jobs.

Also Read: Air India-Boeing deal will meet growing demands for air transportation in India: Biden

Prayag or Prayagraj had been the ancient name of the city of Allahabad. Pra means “first” and Yag means “devotion”. Prayag also signifies the coming together of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. After the Mughal invasion, Emperor Akbar, impressed by the location named the city Ilahabas that meant “Abode of God”. Emperor Shah Jahan, his grandson, renamed the city to Allahabad.

One of the top places to visit in Allahabad, if you’re spiritually inclined (and even if you’re not because this place deserves a visit), Triveni Sangam is a place bustling with tourists and locals all year round. The Maha Kumbh Mela is a religious occasion that is held here every twelve years and is attended by millions of pilgrims from all across the globe. The Allahabad Fort is another monument of historical significance and is a heritage site recognized by the UNESCO. Built during the reign of Akbar, this fort is also a fine example of the curation and craftsmanship of the Mughal era.

Other popular places to visit in Allahabad include the Anand Bhavan, All Saints Cathedral, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, and Allahabad Museum.

Allahabad finds its mention in Hindu Scripture Mahabharata as Kaushambi, the place which Kuru rulers of Hastinapur made their capital. It was also a provincial capital of Mughals under the rule of Jahangir. The places ooze heritage, history, and stories galore, and once you visit, you will definitely have seen Allahabad differently for having travelled to and through it.

Places to visit In Allahabad

Kumbh Mela: The Kumbh Mela, widely regarded as the largest gathering of pilgrims in the world, is a very important event for Hinduism. Held in at four different areas, a great number of Hindus arrive at the fair to bathe in the holy rivers, a ritual meant to cleans them of sin and bring purity to their lives. The Kumbh Mela is held every three years in a rotation between Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain, thus occurring once every twelve years at each destination

Triveni Sangam: One of the holiest places in Central India, Triveni Sangam is located about 7 kilometers away from Civil Lines in Allahabad (Prayagraj). It is the meeting point of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up more than 4,000 years ago). It is one of the places where the Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years. The exact date of the Mela is determined according to the Hindu calendar i.e. the Panchanga.

Khusro Bagh: Lying at Lukarganj, Khusro Bagh is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Allahabad. The walled bracketing of the Khusro Bagh is a stunning remnant of the Mughal architecture.

It houses three sandstone tombs of the Jehangir family; his wife; Shah Begum, his oldest son; Khusrau Mirza and his daughter; Sultan Nithar Begum. Most of the design of the place is credited to Aqa Reza, an artist on Jehangir’s court. Landscaped amid an elaborately beautiful garden of guava trees and roses, the Bagh cites intricate carvings and inscriptions on each of the mausoleums.

Anand Bhavan: Anand Bhawan is the former residence of Nehru family, which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artifacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India. The double-story mansion was personally designed by Motilal Nehru.

Allahabad Museum: Situated inside the famous Chandrashekar Azad Park, the Allahabad Museum is one of the national-level museums of India. It gives an insight into the history, culture, heritage and independence movement of India through the amazing displays of artifacts related to the art, history, archaeology, architecture, environment and literature.

Allahabad Fort: Allahabad Fort is a splendid work of architecture that was built during the reign of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor in 1583. The marvelous structure is located on the banks of the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna and is well-known for being the largest fort ever built by Akbar.

Ashoka Pillar: A significant remnant of the Gupta era, the Allahabad Pillar is one of the many pillars set up by the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. This polished sandstone spire hones inscriptions from the Samudragupta and Jahangir era, of the 4th BCE and 17th Century respectively.

Bade Hanuman Temple: Colloquially known as Bade Hanuman Mandir, Hanuman Temple is located at Sangam area of Allahabad. Constructed underground, with a leaning posture of a 20-feet long and 8-feet wide deity of Hanuman, this temple is one of its kind.

Magh Mela: Organized every year in the pristine city of Allahabad, Magh Mela is the mini version of the famous Kumbh Mela. Taking place at the confluence of the three great Indian rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Prayag near Allahabad, the mela is held in the Hindu month of Magh (January/February) every year and is a much-awaited event amongst the pilgrims.

Best time to visit Allahabad?

The best time to visit Allahabad is during the winter months of October to March when the weather is cool and pleasant for sightseeing. Though Allahabad is accessible throughout the year, summer temperatures can get uncomfortably high, and it is best to avoid this time. During the monsoon, the Ghats may not be accessible, and there are restrictions on people bathing in the river.

How to reach Allahabad

Although Prayagraj Airport has its own airport, there is currently only one flight every day from Delhi (Air India). If you want to reach completely by flight, you can take the connecting flight from Delhi. Another option would be to take a flight to Varanasi (120 km) or Lucknow (200 km) and take an AC bus/cab from there.

Also Read: Allahabad HC rejects plea seeking to open 22 closed doors in Taj Mahal

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport plunged into chaos on Monday, as dense fog disrupted flight operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for hours.

Taking to his official handle on social media platform X, Tharoor, while acknowledging the strides in the aviation sector, posted, “My dear JM_Scindia, it’s a pity that since switching sides you have adopted the Modi Government’s uncaring attitude to the public. As Rahul Gandhi said during the #BharatJodoNyayYatra, it’s clear the suffering of the people is not the suffering of this Government. Crores worth of economic value lost, lakhs of lives disrupted, and thousands of people unable to go about their daily lives during this festive season–and all the Minister can do is to engage in name-calling.”

“I am not denying that there has been some growth. Nor am I blaming the government for the weather. I am pointing out that there are several evident shortcomings in the Govt’s planning & its failure to take proactive action on problems that could easily have been anticipated,” the Thiruvananthapuram MP added.

Advising the Civil Aviation Minister to shift his focus “from my arm-chair and my diligent researchers to the agony of the passengers”, Tharoor added, “Perhaps, then he would find time to fix the myriad in competencies, absolute lack of preparation, and the glaring loopholes in his Ministry’s functioning.”

In another post on X, Tharoor said the claims made by the Union Minister on the country’s aviation sector were ‘completely misdirected’ and an ‘obfuscation’.

“This is complete misdirection and obfuscation. In 2014, India had 6-7 major airlines, none of which had even 1/3rd market share. Today, there are just two companies with over 90% of the market. Further, under the BJP government, thousands of crores have been wasted on the failed UDAN scheme. After 7 years, out of 493 subsidised routes, only 225 (about 47%) are still surviving. This is not even considering the 403 other routes that were awarded but could not even begin operations,” Tharoor posted from his X handle.

Taking a dig at the Centre, he claimed that the “doubling of the number of airports is one of your most repeated concoctions”.

“In 2014, the Airports Authority of India annual report shows that there were already 125 airports in India. In 10 years, you have been able to add just 20 airports. In comparison, from 2004 to 2014, the UPA added 35 operational airports,” Tharoor claimed.

On Wednesday, Tharoor labelled the prevailing situation as a “ModiGovt-made disaster”, alleging that it was a result of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s “neglect and incompetence”.

Scindia countered Tharoor’s criticism, saying, “It is for someone who is lost in his esoteric world of thesaurus that data mining of selective press articles from the internet qualifies as research”.

He highlighted the crane operation’s impact, revealing it would be allowed only on non-fog days. “Runway maintenance work is a critical safety element for aviation operations, and any compromise with runway conditions directly jeopardizes passenger safety,” Scindia said.

“As a result, the maintenance was taken on top priority to be completed by December 15 before the onset of the fog season. However, due to pollution incidents, and enforcement of GRAP-IV in Delhi, the recarpeting got delayed, resulting in a delay of one month in its commissioning. The revamped RWY is getting operational this week,” he asserted.

Further responding to Tharoor’s claims on trained pilots, accusing the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA of failing to ensure airlines have trained pilots, Scidina pointed out a significant increase in CAT-II/CAT-III trained pilots over the years.

While countering his claims, Scindia said, “On sufficiently trained pilots, your claim is incorrect and baseless, as usual! As compared to only 2416 CAT II/CAT III trained pilots in 2014, today we have 6191 CAT II/CAT III trained pilots which is a jump of 2.5 times in the last 9 years.”

“Further, in preparation for the fog season of 2023-24, due to our efforts, the number of CAT II/CAT III trained pilots have grown by 16 per cent in the last three months alone from 5332 to 6191,” Scindia said.

“Regarding CAT III operations, Scindia explained the dependence on runway, aircraft, and pilot capabilities. He compared the Delhi Airport’s CAT III capability to JFK airport in the USA, emphasizing the differences in minima,” he added.

Earlier, Delhi experienced unprecedented fog, with the visibility dropping to ‘zero’ and hampering flight movement to and from the IGI airport on Monday.

Over 600 flights, including both domestic and international, were affected, according to airport officials. (ANI)

Also Read: India’s civil aviation fleet to more than double in 5-6 years: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Flight movement to and from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport remained affected with around 120 flights including international ones getting delayed by several hours. 53 flights were also announced cancelled on Wednesday due to fog and other operational issues.

According to the Delhi Airport Flight Information Display System (FIDS) data, the 120 affected flights included 21 international departures, 23 international arrivals, 33 domestic departures, and 43 domestic arrivals.

Apart from the 120 flights affected, a total of 53 flights have been cancelled citing fog and other operational reasons, as per the FIDS data recorded till 8 am on Wednesday. This includes 21 domestic arrivals, 16 domestic departures, 13 international departures, and 3 international arrivals.

Meanwhile, around 20 passenger trains to Delhi were running behind schedule on Wednesday.

According to the Northern Railways, two trains namely Puri-Nizamuddin Purushottam Express and Hyderabad-New Delhi were delayed by around 6-6.30 hours.

Similarly, Azamgarh-Delhi Junction Kaifiyat Express and Ambedkarnagar-Katra were also running behind schedule and are likely to arrive late by around five hours.

A four-and-a-half-hour delay is expected on the arrival of the Katihar-Amritsar Express, the railways’ data mentioned.

Six trains namely, Rewa-Anand Vihar Express, Vasco-Nizamuddin Express, Bhopal-Nizamuddin Express, Khajarao-Kurukshetra, Amritsar-Mumbai and Manikpru-Nizamuddin are likely to arrive late by around 2-2.45 hours.

In addition to these, eight long-distance trains are delayed by around 1-1.30 hours, as per the railways. This included Howrah-Kalka Mail, Saharsa-New Delhi Vaishali Express, Prayagraj-New Delhi Express, Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar, Chennai-New Delhi and Jammutawi-Ajmer, the railways said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, visibility was recorded below 200 metres in several parts of the country including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Rajasthan, West and East Uttar Pradesh at around 5.30 am on Wednesday.

Further, as per IMD, dense fog was observed in isolated areas of Delhi, East Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on Wednesday morning. (ANI)

Also Read: Delhi: Passenger assaults IndiGo pilot over flight delay, complaint lodged

According to official sources, the incident took place reportedly on Sunday.

As per the airline sources, the male passenger assaulted Anup Kumar, the pilot of the Delhi-Goa Indigo flight (6E-2175) while the latter was making an announcement about the delay in departure at around 1 pm.

The viral video purportedly shows an agitated passenger running from the last row and hitting the pilot.

“A passenger punched an Indigo capt in the aircraft as he was making delay announcement. The guy ran up from the last row and punched the new Capt who replaced the previous crew who crossed FDTL. Unbelievable !,” a user posted on social media platform X.

The crew members were seen trying to calm the agitated passenger and urging others to stay buckled in.

After the video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, the aviation security agency has taken cognizance and initiated a probe into the same.

Meanwhile, IndiGo has lodged a formal complaint against the passenger, and the process of filing a case is underway, the airline sources said.

Delhi police have assured appropriate action into the incident.

We received a complaint and are taking appropriate legal action, a senior official with Airport police said.

On Sunday, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport witnessed chaotic scenes as dozens of flights were delayed due to dense fog and bad weather conditions. This left hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport for several hours.

As per officials, nearly a dozen flights to Delhi were diverted due to unfavourable weather conditions on Sunday. (ANI)

Also Read: IndiGo plane grounded after tail strike incident at Delhi airport

The smallest union territory of India has only 36 islands having a total area of 32 sq. kilometers. It’s made up of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks out of which ten Islands are inhabited.

Lakshadweep is typically accessed from Kochi (Kerala) and a permit is required to visit Lakshadweep for all tourists (including Indians). After permit, Indians are permitted to visit all islands, however, even after permit, foreigners are permitted to just visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat Islands. Permits can be obtained from Kochi itself.

Perhaps the charm of Lakshadweep islands lies in their remoteness. Far off the beaten track, they attract no hordes of merrymakers to their shores. The islands, though all equally mystical and beautiful, each offers a unique blend of tourist spots. Some islands have been promoted for diving and water sports, still, others have been developed so that people enjoy the charm of relaxation.

Places To Visit In Lakshadweep

Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep Overview

One of the 36 small islets of Lakshadweep group of Islands, Minicoy, also known as Maliku in the local language is one of the best-kept secrets of India. It is located amidst the vast expanse of Arabian Sea, just 398 km or 215 nautical miles from the shores of Cochin.

The small island encompasses the total area of 4.801 sq. km and is exclusively known for its vibrant coral reefs, quaint white-sand beaches and the freshwater of the infinite ocean. The Minicoy Island is the second-largest island of the Lakshadweep and is one of the few inhabited islands of the group. It is best known for its luxury beach resorts that are an ideal destination for the travellers seeking tranquility.

Agatti Islands, Lakshadweep Overview

Agatti Islands is considered another jewel from the Lakshadweep group of islands in India. The island is situated on one of the coral isles of Lakshadweep islands and is few of the islands from the Lakshadweep group that is inhabited by people. One may explore the island on foot or rent a two-wheeler to commute. Every corner of the island is rich with natural vegetation and beautiful geographical formations.

Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep Overview

Bangaram Island is a beautiful tiny island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. The Bangaram Island encompasses an area of 1.234 sq.kms and is the largest island in the chain of islands in the region (also known as an atoll) with a beautiful lagoon. With a population of only 10 and just one beach resort, it is an apt destination for people who want to disconnect entirely from the fast-paced world.

Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep, Lakshadweep Overview

Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep is one of the most popular activities amongst travellers. Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat islands are the three islands that prove a perfect setting for the Scuba. Each dive center has attached resorts catering to the needs of beginners as well as those interested in CMAS and PADI courses by certified divers. The islands are also enriched with a diverse variety of tropical fishes, vibrant corals and other creatures like turtles, rays and coral sharks.

Kavaratti Islands, Lakshadweep Overview

Kavaratti is a small island spread across an area of 3.93 sq.km and one of the most beautiful gems from the Lakshadweep islands. The island is home to 12 atolls, five submerged banks, and three coral reefs. The spectacular views of the Arabian Sea, the sparkling white-sand beaches offer solace amidst the tranquil nature.

Kalpeni Island, Lakshadweep Overview

Also known as Koefaini, Kalpeni islands is a group of three islands and is one of the most picturesque areas of Lakshadweep. Cheriyam, Pitti and Tillakkam are the islands which together form the Kalpeni islands.

Water Sports in Lakshadweep Islands, Lakshadweep Overview

Apart from admiring the nature, the next best thing on any vacationer’s ‘to-do list’ should be water sports. There are plenty of opportunities for Scuba diving, Yachting, Pedal boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, Snorkeling, etc.

Marine Museum, Lakshadweep Overview

Situated in Kavaratti, Marine museum showcases plethora of marine related artifacts and aims at promoting marine products and its preservation. The interesting thing about the museum is its aquarium which has few of the most striking species of sea fishes and water animals.

Kadmat, Lakshadweep Overview

Sprawling over 9.3 kms in length, Kadmat Island is a gorgeous island which is part of the Amindivi subgroup of islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Boasting of silvery white beaches, sun kissedshores, wonderful blue lagoons, azure blue waters, and vibrant coral reefs, Kadmat Island is a travellers’ delight.

City Shopping, Lakshadweep Overview

The quaint little islets of Lakshadweep which are miles away from the modernity offer an exotic beach holiday. The markets of the island aren’t much developed, and there are very few things that you can take back home as Lakshadweep souvenirs.

Best time to visit Lakshadweep

September to February is the best time to visit Lakshadweep Islands as the climatic conditions remain pleasant (between 20-30-degree Celsius). March to May are also good months but the weather will be hotter by 2-3-degree Celsius.

How to reach Lakshadweep

The Union Territory has an airport in Aggati, which is connected to the Kochi Airport only. – www.holidify.com

According to Northern Railway, of the 39 train, three trains are running late by six hours. This includes Ajmer-Katra Pooja Express, Katihar-Amritsar Express, and Khajarao-Kurukshetra Express trains.

Besides, six long distance trains including Bhubneshwar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Amritsar-Nanded Express, Azamgarh-Delhi Junction Kaifiyat Express, Kamakhya-Delhi Junction Brahmputra Mail and Seoni-Ferozpur Express are also running behind their schedule and are expected to arrive late by four hours.

Similarly, Jammutawi-Ajmer Pooja Express and Kamakhya-Delhi Junction Brahmputra Mail are also delayed by around five hours while 10 others, including Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Banglore-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas, Prayagraj-New Delhi Express, Chennai-New Delhi Express and Manikpur-Nizamuddin Express are running late by up to two hours.

In addition to these, at least trains are running around 1-1.30 hours late, including Rajendranagar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Kanpur-New Delhi Shramshakti, Chennai-New Delhi Express, Hyderabad-New Delhi Express and Maa Belhi Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Delhi Junction.

Meanwhile, zero visibility was reported at Delhi (Palam) Airport due to very dense fog conditions while Safdarjung Airport reported 200 m visibility in dense fog conditions on Friday morning.

Apart from Delhi, the visibility was recorded below 500 m in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh including Gwalior and Malda, Gangetic West Bengal, Assam, parts of Punjab, and Rajasthan’s Ganganagar, as per IMD data. (ANI)

Also Read: Fog in Delhi, parts of NCR; extreme cold likely to continue for next few days

This huge spark in interest for Lakshadweep could be linked to the outcome of PM Modi’s overnight stay, followed by beach visits and some adventure activities he partook in the form of snorkelling.

A massive row that is triggered after Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, also is likely to have raised people’s interest in the archipelago.

Indians, including cricketers and film celebrities, have since come out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. They also voiced support for PM Modi’s call for promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.

On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an ‘exhilarating experience’ of him trying his hand at snorkelling.

In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”

It is to be noted a large part of Maldives inbound tourists are Indians.

Amid the Lakshadweep row, Maldives Envoy to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb was on Monday morning at the Ministry of External Affairs in the national capital’s South Block.

In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi.

The Maldives government has, however, distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are “unacceptable” and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government.

He stated that the Maldives remains committed to fostering a “positive and constructive dialogue” with all its partners, particularly its neighbours.

In a post shared on X, Moosa Zameer stated, “The recent remarks against foreign leaders and our close neighbours are unacceptable and do not reflect the official position of the Government of #Maldives. We remain committed to fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with all our partners, especially our neighbours, based on mutual respect and understanding.” (ANI)

Also Read: Maldives former president sentenced to 11 years in prison

The government is also making separate arrangements for VVIP tourists. Electric cars have now been started to make Ayodhya a net zero carbon emission city.

12 electric cars have been deployed to provide a pleasant journey to VVIP tourists. All these 12 electric cars are parked at Ayodhya Cantt Railway Station, Ayodhya Dham Junction, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya to welcome VVIPs.

“These electric cars will be provided for all those who come here to visit Ram Mandir. You can find electric cars everywhere in Ayodhya now. Currently, there are 12 cars in the fleet which will be available for booking via a mobile application,” said Dilip Pandey, local supervisor of the electric car taxi service in Ayodhya.

“More cars will be brought in by January 22. These electric cars will help in visiting all the religious centres like Ram Janambhoomi, Suraj Kund, Suryu river, Bharat Kund, etc. The fare for these electric cars will start at Rs 250 for 10kms, Rs 400 for 20 kms and goes up to Rs 3000 for 12 hours,” Dilip Pandey further added.

After a few days, many more electric cars will be deployed in Ayodhya for tourists. These electric cars will be deployed at special places in Ayodhya. All electric cars will be connected to the mobile app in the near future. The tourists will be able to easily book electric cars through their mobile app.

The trial of India manufactured electric cars has been started for the people coming to Ayodhya Cantt station. The people commuting in the electric cars are also asked to share their experiences. Passengers coming to Ayodhya railway station have praised the development of Ayodhya as well as their electric car journey. (ANI)

Also Read: Aiming for all-electric cars in India by 2030: Goyal

The unfolding situation suggests a potential collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, it reported.

Japan Airlines has reported that there were 367 passengers on board, including eight children, along with a crew of 12. All 379 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the aircraft safely.

The incident has prompted a massive emergency response, with at least 70 fire trucks and other vehicles dispatched by the Tokyo Fire Department to extinguish the flames, as reported by NHK.

The aircraft involved in the collision with the Japan Airlines flight is reported to be an MA722 fixed-wing aircraft belonging to Haneda Air Base. Out of the six people on board the fixed-wing plane, one person has reportedly escaped, but the safety of the remaining five remains unknown.

Video footage from cameras installed at Haneda Airport by Japan Airlines and NHK captured the horrifying moment when flames erupted from the aircraft shortly after it touched down. The incident occurred during what should have been a routine landing, as the flight was scheduled to depart from New Chitose Airport at 4 pm and land at Haneda Airport at 5:40 pm.

The government promptly set up an information liaison room at the Crisis Management Centre of the Prime Minister’s Office at 6:05 pm on Tuesday to collect and coordinate information regarding the incident. In response to the emergency, all runways at Haneda Airport were closed around 6 pm, causing significant disruptions to air traffic.

Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have indicated that there is information suggesting a collision between the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 from New Chitose Airport and the Japan Coast Guard aircraft near the runway. The cause of the collision is yet to be officially determined.

The disaster prevention centre at the Japan Airlines Building at Haneda Airport reported that the fire is localised on Runway C. Despite efforts to control the situation, the severity of the incident raises concerns about the safety protocols in place at one of Japan’s busiest airports, NHK reported. (ANI)

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There is a heavy rush of tourists at various points in and around Puducherry and the local restaurants and hotels have been reporting brisk business, according to officials.

Puducherry Police said they were keeping track of private hotels across the city and making regular enquiries ahead of New Year celebrations.

“Tourists are flocking to Puducherry for the New Year celebrations. The police are making routine enquiries at all the private hotels in Puducherry under the leadership of Swati Singh SSP and the traffic police have warned all tourists to Puducherry of the ban on transport vehicles and changes in traffic, Superintendent of Police (SP) Maran said on Sunday.

He said the security escorts are alert and awake to threats and all hotels have been decorated with lights ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Earlier, on Saturday, Delhi Police conducted a vehicle check in various parts of the city as security was heightened in the national capital and increased deployments were made in the border areas for the New Year’s celebrations.

Major checks were conducted in public places such as Connaught Place and Aurobindo Marg, among other major marketplaces that are the centres of attraction ahead of occasions such as the New Year.

The police put up barricades at strategic locations to conduct security checks and police personnel were seen checking four-wheelers and bikers.

The Special Commissioner of Police (CP) (Traffic), SS Yadav, said on December 31, Delhi Police will ensure necessary arrangements and deployment of personnel at places where people are expected to gather.

Addressing a press conference, Special CP (Traffic), SS Yadav, said, “Our personnel will be deployed at locations such as the Connaught Place, India Gate, Aerocity, Qutub Minar, Greater Kailash, Saket Mall, Netaji Subhash Place, Mukherjee Nagar area, Vasant Kunj Mall, EDM Mall, Pacific Mall, Champa Gali, Hudson Lane, Hauz Khas, and other crowded places. Traffic will be controlled in the Connaught Place area after 8 pm.”

The Special CP stated further that an advisory has also been issued for people travelling to New Delhi and Old Delhi railway stations on December 31.

As the clock strikes midnight and fireworks light up the sky, people around the world will come together to welcome the New Year on January 1. (ANI)

Also Read: Tourists feel Puducherry has tremendous potential to become tourism hub

Airports Authority of India undertook the development of Ayodhya Airport as per the MoU signed with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in April last year.

The Uttar Pradesh government provided 821 acres of land for the development of Ayodhya Airport, according to a government release.

AAI Chairman Sanjeev Kumar asserted that air connectivity is important for Ayodhya adding that the Airport Authority is happy about the expansion.

“The airport has been built in Ayodhya and AAI has completed it in a record time of 20 months,” Sanjeev Kumar said while speaking to ANI in Ayodhya.

“Air connectivity is important for Ayodhya. With more passenger flow, the connectivity will also improve in Ayodhya. We at Airport Authority are extremely excited about this expansion, I believe the people of Ayodhya are also happy. PM Modi will inaugurate it today,” he added.

With the development of this airport, the pilgrims visiting Shri Ram Mandir along with famous nearby pilgrim destinations like Ram ki Paidi, Hanuman Garhi, Nageshwar Nath Temple, Birla Temple etc will get the benefit of this air connectivity.

The development of Ayodhya Airport will also facilitate businesses and pilgrimage tourism throughout the year and will improve the overall economy of the region.

Pointing to the scope of expanding the terminal at the newly constructed Airport sometime in future, the Airport Authority Chairman said, “Now Ayodhya will be accessible by air also. The terminal built now is small, it will be expanded in the future accordingly.”

As per a government release, the airport has a runway length of 2200m and would be suitable for the operation of A-321 type of Aircraft. Two link taxiways and an apron suitable for parking eight A321 type of aircraft along with a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) area are also constructed.

Under Phase 2, the development of a new terminal building of 50000 sqm is planned which will be able to serve 4000 passengers during peak hours and 60 lakh passengers annually.

The development will also include a runway extension from the existing 2200m to 3750m suitable for the operation of Code E (B-777) type of aircraft, a parallel taxi track and an apron for an additional 18 aircraft parking stands.

Ayodhya has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (Mokshdayini Sapt Puris) for Hindus.

PM Modi will inaugurate the newly built Ayodhya Airport named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham today at around 12 among many other projects in the region.

The new airport will serve as a Gateway for pilgrims and tourists and give impetus to the overall growth of the region. The airport has been developed at Rs 350 Crore, which includes the construction of the Terminal Building, ATC Tower, Fire Station, Car parking and Allied city-side infrastructure, the release stated.

The terminal building built in an area of 6500 sqm. is equipped to serve 600 passengers during peak hours and 10 lakh passengers annually.

Passenger facilities like nine check-in counters, three conveyor belts (one in the Departure and two in the Arrival hall), and five X-BIS machines have been provided.

The city side of the terminal building is constructed with car and bus parking with Divyangjan-friendly facilities. The airport has been designed keeping in mind the history and importance of Ayodhya.

The structure of the terminal building is inspired by the architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. The interiors of the building are decorated with local artefacts, paintings and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

The terminal building is also decorated with many Shikharas adding grandeur to the structure and creating an ambience of spirituality.

The terminal building of the airport is equipped with various sustainability features like an Insulated Roofing System, Provision of Canopies for energy saving, LED Lighting, Low Heat Gain Double Glazing Unit, Rain Water Harvesting to recharge the groundwater table, Landscaping with fountains, HVAC, Water treatment plant, Sewage treatment plant and use of recycled water for landscaping.

A solar power plant with a capacity of 250 KWP has been provided to meet GRIHA – 5-star ratings. (ANI)

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