Cabinet clears new airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan, other investments worth Rs 9,814 cr
The government has given the green light for a new airport in Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan. The project will cost Rs 1,507 crore. The current airport can only handle small planes. The Union Cabinet has also approved a six-lane ring road in Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. This project will involve an investment of Rs 8,307 crore. These developments aim to improve connectivity.
Parliament passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, replacing 100-year-old Act
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Wednesday passed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, amid Opposition protests and sloganeering over the Special Intensive Revision issue. A brief debate was held on the Bill amid protests. Several Opposition MPs who stood up to participate in the debate on the Bill, demanded a discussion on SIR. Chair Bhubaneshwar Kalita, however, said anything unrelated to the Bill will not go on record. Moving the Bill, Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the Bill intends to replace 100 years old, pre-independence Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The Act establishes the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities in case of goods carried from a port in India to another port in the country or any other in the world, and is in conformance with the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading of August 1924 (Hague Rules) and subsequent amendments to it. The Bill retains all provisions of the Act. According to a government statement, the bill simplifies the language and structure, making the law more accessible to stakeholders, particularly Indian exporters, importers, and shipping professionals. While retaining the substantive legal framework, the bill aligns it with contemporary drafting practices, reducing ambiguities and minimising the risk of potential litigation. The bill empowers the government allowing India to swiftly adapt to evolving international maritime conventions. It also ensures transparency and accountability by providing for parliamentary oversight of executive notifications.
Air passenger traffic across India soars by 6.6% in opening months of fiscal 2025-26
NEW DELHI: The total passenger traffic across airports in India has grown by 6.6% in the first two months of this financial year, compared to the corresponding period last year, reveals the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Srinagar and Amritsar airports, which were closed for some weeks due to the India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 this year, have reported a steep decline on the patronage front. AAI data reveals that 71.14 million passengers travelled during April-May of 2025 as compared to 66.73 million in the period in 2024. International traffic soared by 8.8% in the period compared with 13.4 million travellers compared to 12.31 million earlier. Domestic traffic has recorded a 6.1% growth with 57.74 million against the previous 66.73 million. A total of 5.54 crore Air Traffic Movement Movements (Arrivals and Departures) have been recorded in April-May 2025, up by 6.5% over the same period last year, the data shows. The freight traffic too has boomed with an 8.1% increase in April and May of 2025 over the previous year by transporting 643.47 metric tonnes. Airports which have been severely impacted due to Indo-Pak tensions were on expected lines - Srinagar and Amritsar. Passenger traffic in Srinagar dipped by a whopping 67.1% in the two months. Srinagar International Airport had a patronage of just 1,61,214 flyers as compared to 4,89,561 earlier. The Sri Guru Ramdas Ji airport in Amritsar too followed suit with 1,56,288 passengers in the first two months of this fiscal as compared to 2,75,837 last year. The top three airports in passenger traffic in the country continue to be Delhi (93,89,191 flyers), Mumbai (65,68,271) and Bengaluru (64,43,050). The KIA airport in Bengaluru continues its non-stop growth trajectory by recording a 6.7% growth over its performance in April-May 2024. However, Delhi has dipped by 1.2% and Mumbai by 0.5% during the compared period. Airports which have done significantly well over their past performance in the two-month period compared in succeeding years are Bhubaneshwar (25.5% over previous period), Tirupati (49.2%), Varanasi (25.8%) Kannur (33.2%), Patna (32.1%), Agra (77.8) and Agati (42.5%), Durgapur (37%), Bhuj (48.6), Cudappah (58.8%), Dharbanga (52.2%), Dehradun (29.1%), Cooch Behar (38.4%), Dimapur (27.4%), Gorakhpur (995) and Hubballi (37.1%), Jabalpur (92.2%), Jaisalmer (86.4%), Kanpur (57%) and Kishangarh (38.9%), Rajahmundry (46.3%) Nanded (28.3%) Kurnool (34.3%) and Shivamogga (85.5%)
Declined Trumps invite to US for coming to land of Lord Jagannath: PM Modi in Odisha
BHUBANESHWAR, Jun 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington, and instead chose to come to Odisha, the sacred land of Lord Jagannath. The Prime Minister was addressing a rally marking the first anniversary of Odishas maiden BJP government. He also launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused the opposition party of using tribals for political gains, keeping them backward by branding their habitation as red [] The post Declined Trumps invite to US for coming to land of Lord Jagannath: PM Modi in Odisha appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Odisha govt to ban non-veg food, liquor near Jagannath temple in Puri: Minister
BHUBANESHWAR, Jun 8 : The Odisha government will ban the sale of non-vegetarian food and liquor within a 2-km radius of the Jagannath temple in Puri, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, he said the decision is part of the state governments broader initiative to preserve the sanctity of the holy town. A complete ban on the sale of meat and liquor, including in bars, within a 2-km radius of the Jagannath temple will be enforced, [] The post Odisha govt to ban non-veg food, liquor near Jagannath temple in Puri: Minister appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
IndiGo Introduces Direct Flights to Abu Dhabi from Bhubaneshwar and Visakhapatnam
The flights on BhubaneshwarAbu Dhabi routes will operate three times a week w.e.f. June 12, 2025, and between Visakhapatnam - Abu Dhabi four times a week starting June 13th, 2025.
UGC sets up panel to probe twin suicides
NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday set up a four-member fact finding committee to examine the two suicides which took place within four months at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneshwar. The panel will take steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents. It has been given a ten days to submit its report. An order issued by the UGC said, In view of the consecutive suicide incidents at KIIT, Bhubaneshwar on February 16, 2025, and May 1, 2025, the UGC as the regulatory body, has decided to constitute a fact-finding committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incidents and ensure compliance with student welfare and safety regulations and further suggest measures to prevent such incidents.
Nepal launches diplomatic initiatives to probe death of another student at Odisha's KIIT
BHUBANESHWAR: Nepal has launched diplomatic initiatives to probe the death of an 18-year-old student from the Himalayan nation at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar, hours after she was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room. The incident comes barely two-and-a-half months after Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepalese student of the same institute, died by suicide on February 16 . The incident of Prisa Sah, a Nepali student studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India, being found dead in her hostel room has left us deeply saddened. I pray for the eternal peace of Prisa's soul and express my deepest condolences to her family at this sad hour, Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said in a post on X. () pic.twitter.com/ojPdVadvXI Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba (@Arzuranadeuba) May 2, 2025 Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated diplomatic initiatives to investigate the truth of the incident through high-ranking officials of the Government of India, the Government of Odisha, and the Embassy of Nepal in Delhi, she said. Ambassador of Nepal to India, Shankar P Sharma, said authorities are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Odisha government, police and the university for a thorough investigation. Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prisha Sah, found in her hostel room at KIIT, Odisha. Heartfelt condolences to her family. Prayers for eternal peace. We are closely coordinating with MEA, Odisha Govt., police & the university for a thorough investigation, Sharma said in a post on X. Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prisha Sah, found in her hostel room at KIIT, Odisha. Heartfelt condolences to her family. Prayers for eternal peace. We are closely coordinating with MEA, Odisha Govt., police & the university for a thorough investigation. pic.twitter.com/ae8X3ZlZwQ Dr. Shankar P Sharma (@DrShankarSharma) May 2, 2025 The body of the B.Tech computer science student from Nepal was recovered from room number 111 of the ladies hostel of the institute on Thursday evening, a senior officer said. It seems that she has died by suicide at the ladies hostel of KIIT, Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh told PTI. The deceased's parents will reach Bhubaneswar on Friday, and after that post-mortem examination of the body will be conducted, Singh said, adding that her body has been sent to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The police commissioner, who visited the ladies' hostel, also said an unnatural death (UD) case has been registered. The fresh case comes from the same hostel and same floor, another officer said. However, the police have not recovered any suicide note from the possession of the deceased. We have not got any such note, but the scientific team has been searching her room, Sharma said. While the Odisha government expressed grief over the incident and termed it unfortunate, the KIIT was yet to make any comment. The death of the Nepalese student in February had triggered protests after reports suggested that the victim was allegedly blackmailed, and she ended her life for not getting justice from the private university authorities. There was an outcry on the KIIT campus as the institute authorities, with the help of staffers and security personnel, had allegedly assaulted Nepalese students who demanded justice for the deceased. The Nepalese students were forcibly evicted from the campus and asked to leave for their country. Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli had raised the issue at the diplomatic level and urged the central government to ensure justice for Nepalese students of the institute. The Odisha government had subsequently formed a high-level committee, headed by the additional chief secretary of the Home Department, to probe into the matter. The NHRC also investigated the incident. At least 10 university employees were arrested on charge of assaulting Nepalese students, and an Indian student was sent to jail for abetting the suicide of the Nepalese girl.
Mortal remains of victims of Pahalgam terror attack return to their homes
The aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, has brought immense sorrow to families and communities across India. As the mortal remains of the victims were flown back to their hometowns, the grief of the loss was felt across the nation. The journey of these fallen individuals, from the places of death to their final resting places, serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the tragedy that struck innocent lives. The mortal remains of Manish Ranjan, a section officer with the Intelligence Bureau (IB), reached Ranchi on Thursday morning. Ranjan, who had travelled to Kashmir with his family for a vacation, was tragically killed in the terror attack. He had been posted in Hyderabad and was on a much-needed break. Upon arrival at Ranchi Airport, the body was solemnly received by local leaders and officials, including Babulal Marandi, the BJP president of Jharkhand. From there, his remains were taken to Jhalda in West Bengals Purulia district, his native place, where his family awaited him for his final rites. Corporal Tage Hailyang, a member of the Indian Air Force from Arunachal Pradesh, also lost his life in the attack. Hailyang had been on vacation in Kashmir with his wife when he was killed. His mortal remains were flown back to Guwahati on a special flight in the early hours of Thursday. Assams Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah was present at the Air Force base to receive the body and pay tribute to the brave soldier. Hailyangs wife, who survived the attack,accompanied his remains. From Guwahati, his body was to be transported to his native village in Lower Subansiri district for the final rites, surrounded by loved ones and the local community. The father-son duo from Gujarat, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit, had travelled to Kashmir to attend the spiritual discourse of Morari Bapu. Their journey, meant to bring peace and insight, ended in a devastating tragedy. Their mortal remains were brought back to Ahmedabad from Mumbai, where they had been flown after the attack. Gujarats Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and Minister of State for Health Harsh Sanghavi were among those who paid floral tributes at the airport. From there, the bodies were transported to Bhavnagar for the last rites, where Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is expected to attend the funeral. Suresh Kalathiya, a victim from Surat, also suffered an immense loss. Kalathiya had gone to Pahalgam with his wife and two children for a holiday, but the terror attack turned their lives upside down. Kalathiya, who had recently moved to Mumbai for work, was among those killed while his family survived the brutal assault. His mortal remains were brought back to Surat from Mumbai on Wednesday night, where they were received by Union Minister CR Paatil and other local dignitaries. Kalathiyas family, including his wife and children, also returned to Surat with the body. His final rites are set to be held in Surat, where his community and loved ones will gather to pay their respects. From Pune, the remains of victims Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote, two tourists who had been holidaying in Kashmir with their families, were returned to their hometowns. The bodies of both men were flown back to Pune early on Thursday morning, where Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol was present to receive them at the airport. Jagdale, who ran an interior design business, and Ganbote, a farsan entrepreneur, had travelled to Kashmir to enjoy a rare vacation away from their busy lives. The families of both men were left reeling from the loss, their last rites were held at the Vaikunth Crematorium later that morning. Ganbote and Jagdale were close friends, and Jagdale often helped with the marketing of Ganbote's products. Prashant Satapathy, a victim from Odisha, also received a tribute from the states Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who met the mortal remains at Bhubaneshwar Airport. The body was sent to Satapathys native village, where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is expected to attend the funeral rites. The state leaders condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the grieving families, emphasizing the need for strong action against the perpetrators. The government, political leaders, and citizens alike have come together to mourn the victims. The terror attack has left a deep scar, but the nations collective response serves as a reminder of the shared grief and determination to stand against terrorism.
