All posts tagged: Travellers

Marathwada travellers among dozens stranded as Middle East tensions escalate

Marathwada travellers among dozens stranded as Middle East tensions escalate

Amid the ongoing uncertainties in Gulf countries after the US-Israel attack on Iran, a total of 61 persons from Marathwada in Maharashtra are stranded in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to the closure of airspace. An official Divisional Commissionerate, while speaking about the situation, said, “The 61, who have intimated the administrations of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Beed and Latur districts in Marathwada, are tourists, while some have gone to the Gulf for work and others possess resident visas,” as cited by news agency PTI.  Furthermore, he also informed, “Details of those from Dharashiv district (also part of Marathwada) are yet to arrive. Nanded leads with 24 persons, followed by 12 from Latur, 10 from Beed, six each from Parbhani and Jalna, two from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and one from Hingoli.” Flights have been affected since Saturday after the US and Israel carried out a joint strike on Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has struck US bases in several Gulf nations, prompting airlines to …

Middle East tensions: India activates its control room to assist air travellers

Middle East tensions: India activates its control room to assist air travellers

In view of the ongoing developments in the Middle East, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has activated its Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) to address grievances and queries raised by air travellers, an official statement said. The ministry said the Control Room is closely monitoring passenger concerns received through social media platforms, the AirSewa portal and dedicated helpline numbers. Complaints are being prioritised to ensure quick redressal. The statement said that 411 passenger grievances have been resolved so far during the current situation. The PACR is working in coordination with airlines and airport operators to provide timely assistance and minimise inconvenience to travellers. Helpline numbers issued by Indian embassies in affected countries have also been shared with passengers to help them coordinate directly with diplomatic missions where necessary. In view of ongoing developments in the Middle East, the Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is proactively addressing grievances and queries of air travellers. Passenger concerns received through social media platforms, the AirSewa portal,… — MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) March 1, 2026 Passengers …

Police warn travellers after jewellery theft on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Police warn travellers after jewellery theft on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

The police have advised travellers on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway not to leave valuables unattended in cabs or buses while stopping for refreshments at highway food malls. In a recent incident, a cab driver allegedly stole gold jewellery after passengers stepped out to eat. Police Inspector Sachin Hire of Khopoli police station told mid-day, “Theft of valuables is often reported on the expressway, especially in buses, but now these are increasing in private cabs as well. In most cases, passengers leave their valuables inside the vehicle when they go for refreshments. I advise travellers to always carry their valuables with them. It will help prevent such incidents.” What food mall says The official spokesperson of Grand Ocean Cube told mid-day, “We have installed CCTV cameras covering all areas of the premises. We receive frequent calls regarding thefts or missing valuables. In this case, we were informed promptly and immediately reviewed the CCTV footage from all directions. The footage was shared with the persons concerned. We also have a separate lost-and-found cell at the mall, as many …

NCP workers provide food packets, water bottles to stranded travellers

NCP workers provide food packets, water bottles to stranded travellers

3 min readPuneFeb 5, 2026 11:25 PM IST As motorists endured a nightmare on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway since Tuesday evening, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar late Wednesday afternoon directed NCP workers to extend the best possible help to stranded people. Accordingly, 18-20 NCP workers from Pimpri-Chinchwad rushed to help stranded travellers with 2,000 food packets and water bottles on two-wheelers, as taking four-wheelers was out of the question. NCP workers faced a tough time reaching out to travellers. First, there was a jam on expressway as the traffic had come to a halt, then the police would not allow them to go ahead. Though they managed to surge forward, the chaos caused by vehicles on the Pune–Mumbai highway added to their headache. “We faced all kinds of difficulties in extending help to stranded travellers. After we received directives from the Deputy Chief Minister’s office on Wednesday, we had to first arrange for food packets. We went all over Pimpri-Chinchwad to get the food packets, packed them neatly and then proceeded. We had one four-wheeler and …

The Travellers Guide to Indian Football Series

The Travellers Guide to Indian Football Series

What makes Indian football so unique? It is a question that has no single answer and that, perhaps, is the point. Indian football does not belong to one city, one league, or one style of play. It lives in the narrow lanes of Kolkata, the wrestling akharas of Punjab, the forgotten grounds of Hyderabad, the conflict-scarred valleys of Kashmir, and the misty Himalayan slopes of Sikkim. The Travellers Guide to Indian Football, a YouTube series by Sportfolio Productions, sets out to find that answer not in boardrooms or broadcast studios, but on the ground, among players, fans, coaches, and communities who keep the game alive every day. The result is not a neat narrative of success or failure, but a portrait of a sport held together by belief, memory, and culture. Kolkata: Where Football is identity To understand Indian football, you have to begin in Kolkata. Here, football is not introduced; it is inherited. You are born into allegiances: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting. These are institutions, some older than independent India itself, carrying …

TSA warns domestic air travellers, imposes new security fee from February 1; will you have to pay it?

TSA warns domestic air travellers, imposes new security fee from February 1; will you have to pay it?

Beginning on February 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will impose a $45 fee on travellers intending to board a flight without a Real ID or any of the recognized forms of identification. However, this does not include a standard driver’s license. The TSA will implement a $45 fee for travelers attempting to board flights without a REAL ID. The federal REAL ID regulations were initially established for domestic air travelers in May 2025. Nevertheless, until now, individuals lacking a REAL ID license or another valid form of identification, such as a passport, were permitted to pass through airport security, although they faced additional screening. Also Read: Social Security reveals ‘significant’ improvements for Americans: Here’s what beneficiaries must know Here’s who needs to pay $45 fee Starting February 1, however, every individual aged 18 or older who attempts to board a domestic flight without a REAL ID will be required to pay the $45 fee—or they will not be permitted to proceed through TSA screening to board their flight. According to the TSA, more than …

Easy Long-Haul Transit, Save On Time & Money: What Germany’s New Visa Rule Means For Indian Travellers | India News

Easy Long-Haul Transit, Save On Time & Money: What Germany’s New Visa Rule Means For Indian Travellers | India News

Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 18:02 IST By removing the administrative hurdle of a Schengen transit visa, Germany has made changing flights through some of Europe’s busiest hubs far simpler for Indian citizens Under Germany’s new visa policy, which has only been announced but not yet implemented, Indian citizens can enjoy a seamless transit experience through major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich. (Image: AFP/File) In what is being hailed as a great relief, Germany has announced that Indian citizens will no longer require a Schengen airport transit visa to pass through its international airports when travelling to non-Schengen destinations. This landmark decision was unveiled during the first official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on January 12 and 13. Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, high-level talks between the two leaders focused on semiconductors, trade, and mobility, with this visa-free transit facility emerging as a “people-friendly outcome”. Modi expressed his gratitude for the move, noting that it will significantly strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations. WHO DOES IT TARGET? The new visa rule …

Top 5 places for solo travellers in India | Destination-of-the-week News

Top 5 places for solo travellers in India | Destination-of-the-week News

India is full of amazing places for solo travellers, thanks to its varied landscapes, rich cultures, and long history. Whether you want quiet moments by a river, hikes in the Himalayas, time among ancient ruins, or peaceful beaches, you’ll find safe and memorable experiences here. In 2026, these five destinations are especially great for their easy access, welcoming vibe, safety, and unique memories. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Ganga aarti in Rishikesh (Photo: Wikipedia) Rishikesh is a top destination for solo travellers seeking self-discovery. Set in the Himalayas along the Ganges, it’s known for its meditation, yoga, and spiritual retreats. Many ashrams and centres welcome visitors who want to relax or practice mindfulness. If you’re after adventure, you can try white-water rafting, nature walks, or visit cliffside cafes to write or meet new people. The locals are friendly, and there are plenty of affordable hostels, making it an excellent choice for both new and experienced travellers.  Goa Goa remains a favourite among solo travellers for its relaxed coastal vibes and welcoming atmosphere. While it’s known for its lively …

IndiGo announces Rs 10,000 vouchers for severely impacted travellers

IndiGo announces Rs 10,000 vouchers for severely impacted travellers

IndiGo on Thursday said it has initiated all the necessary refunds for flights cancelled during the recent operational disruption, adding that most amounts have already been credited to customers, with the remaining refunds set to reflect shortly. The airline said refunds for bookings made through travel partners have also been actioned, but passengers may need to write to [email protected] if their complete details are not available in IndiGo’s system. The airline acknowledged that a section of passengers travelling on December 3, 4, and 5 were stranded for several hours at various airports and that a number of them were “severely impacted” due to congestion. The airline announced it will offer travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to such passengers, which can be used for any future IndiGo journey over the next 12 months. This compensation will be in addition to the amount mandated under government regulations, which entitles customers to Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on the flight’s block time if their service was cancelled within 24 hours of departure. Reiterating its commitment to restoring …

Air travellers face delays, cancellations amid A320 aircraft issue

Air travellers face delays, cancellations amid A320 aircraft issue

IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express flight operations will see disruptions as they work on fixing a potential issue related to flight controls in their A320 family planes and 200-250 aircraft will be impacted in the country, according to sources. Airbus on Friday said intense solar radiation might corrupt data critical to flight controls in a significant number of A320 family aircraft and that the software changes required to fix the issue would lead to operational disruptions. With many of the narrow-body A320 family planes of the domestic carriers set to undergo software changes or in some cases hardware realignment, there will be operational disruptions as the aircraft have to be grounded, the sources said. Indian operators have about 560 A320 family aircraft and 200-250 of them will need software changes or hardware realignment, they added. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said Airbus asked airline operators to install a serviceable Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) in the impacted aircraft. Generally, ELAC is for flight controls. EASA has directed that the issue should be …