Tirupati-bound SpiceJet flight returns to Hyderabad due to technical snag (Lead)

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Hyderabad, June 19 (IANS) A SpiceJet flight from Hyderabad to Tirupati returned 10 minutes after taking off from Hyderabad airport due to a technical problem on Thursday.

The flight SG 2696 with 80 passengers on board had taken off for Tirupati from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad at 6.10 a.m. However, minutes later, the pilot detected a technical problem. He immediately contacted Air Traffic Control and sought permission to return to the airport.

The airlines stated that a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating the Hyderabad–Tirupati flight experienced an intermittent illumination of the AFT baggage door light after take-off. “Cabin pressurisation remained normal throughout. As a precautionary measure, the pilots decided to return to Hyderabad. The aircraft landed safely and passengers were deplaned normally,” it said.

SpiceJet clarified that the aircraft did not make an emergency landing. An alternate aircraft has been arranged to operate the onward journey to Tirupati.

In the wake of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 270 lives, including on the ground, many flights across various airlines and routes were cancelled or diverted due to technical snags and security threats.

On June 15, a Hyderabad-bound Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt returned to the German airport after a bomb threat was received at the Hyderabad airport.

Authorities at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport received a bomb threat email at 6.01 p.m. on June 15. According to officials, a bomb threat assessment committee was formed, and all procedures were followed as per SOP. In the interest of safety, the airline was advised to divert back to the origin or the nearest suitable airport.

Later, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad received a message that the flight was returning to Frankfurt.

The flight took off from Frankfurt airport around 2.15 p.m. It had not entered the Indian airspace when it returned. After two hours into its journey, Flight LH752 returned and safely landed at Frankfurt airport.

On June 12, an Air India plane crashed minutes after taking off for London Gatwick Airport from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, killing 241 out of 242 people on board. The tragedy also claimed the lives of 33 people on the ground.

–IANS

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Over 1 crore take holy dip in Triveni Sangam by noon on Maha Shivratri

Prayagraj, Feb 26 (IANS) As of Wednesday noon, over one crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, marking an unprecedented surge of devotees in Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

With thousands gathering for the final holy dip, the Maha Kumbh is concluding with a historic spiritual fervour.

To manage the massive influx, extensive security measures have been deployed, particularly around prominent Lord Shiva temples. The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has ensured smooth crowd management, with officials confirming the seamless execution of arrangements.

Adding to the grandeur, a spectacular shower of 20 quintals of rose petals adorned the pilgrims as they performed the sacred ritual at the Sangam. The floral tribute, organised by the state government, heightened the spiritual ambience and was received with immense joy and devotion.

Pilgrims from across the country, along with international visitors, have expressed their awe at the scale and sanctity of the Maha Kumbh.

A foreign devotee, experiencing the event for the first time, shared, “It feels deeply spiritual and special. I’ve attended many festivals, but India is truly unique… I can’t put it into words.”

Another devotee expressed gratitude, saying, “I feel fortunate to witness this divine event. The arrangements are excellent, and everything is functioning smoothly.”

Despite the overwhelming turnout, CM Yogi Adityanath’s continuous monitoring has ensured the event remains well-organised. Pilgrims have widely praised the efficient arrangements, highlighting the seamless management of the world’s largest religious gathering.

Providing security details, ADG Prayagraj Bhanu Bhaskar told IANS, “Since morning, large crowds have been gathering at the ghats. So far, 41 lakh people have taken a dip, bringing the total number of visitors to 64.77 crores. A strong police presence has been deployed at all Shivalayas across the city, apart from the Sangam, to ensure smooth darshan and worship.”

Elaborating on the movement strategy, he added, “Our traditional exit route passes through Triveni via Mahavir Ho and Akshay Bhatt Ho, but we have activated additional exit routes. Every Shiv temple has designated entry and exit points to manage the crowd efficiently.”

DIG Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, emphasised that crowd management has been highly effective, stating, “There is no VIP movement today, and no mechanised boats are allowed at the ghats — only manually operated paddle boats are in operation. Police forces are stationed at all Shiva temples to ensure orderly water offerings and darshan.”

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has set an unparalleled record with over 64 crore devotees taking part in the holy dip, making it the largest human gathering in history.

Breaking down the numbers, 1.70 crore devotees bathed on Paush Purnima, 3.50 crore on Makar Sankranti, 7.64 crore on Mauni Amavasya, 2.57 crore on Basant Panchami, and 2.04 crore on Magh Purnima, underscoring the spiritual and cultural significance of this grand event.

–IANS

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Entertainment City in Amaravati to create jobs, attract FDI: CM Naidu

Amaravati, May 4 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday that India’s first Transmedia Entertainment City to be launched here will create 25,000 jobs and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

The Chief Minister posted on ‘X’ that the state government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Creative Land Asia (CLA).

“Delighted to announce that GoAP has entered into a historic MoU with Creativeland Asia to launch Creatorland, India’s first Transmedia Entertainment City, in the people’s capital Amaravati,” read his post.

“With an aim to create 25,000 jobs, the project is set to attract FDI, bring large-scale development, and empower local talent to Create in AP & Create for the World,” he added.

The Chief Minister stated that this world-class creative township will be a hub for film, gaming, music, virtual production, immersive storytelling and AI-driven content.

“With cutting-edge infrastructure, global partnerships, and a Creatorland Academy to skill our youth, AP is set to become a global destination for the creative and digital industries,” the Chief Minister said.

The state government signed the MoU with CreativeLand Asia (CLA) to conceptualise and operationalise ‘Creatorland’, India’s first Transmedia Entertainment City.

The MoU was signed during the WAVES summit held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025.

The Creatorland is proposed to have immersive theme parks, gaming zones and global cinema co-production zones. It is also expected to help drive job creation, skill development, tourism and digital innovation.

Creatorland is expected to attract investments between Rs 8,000 – 10,000 crore over the next 5-6 years that will go towards the creation of a Virtual Studio Complex powered by AI-based real-time rendering and volumetric capture technologies, immersive theme parks, gaming zones, e-sports arenas, and global cinema co-production zones, CreatorLand Academy for skilling youth in VFX, AI, gaming, and immersive storytelling.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh, CEO of State Tourism Amrapali Kata and founder of CreativeLand Studios Entertainment and Chairman of Creators Inc, London Sajan Raj Kurup.

–IANS

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ED raids meant to spilt Congress in Karnataka, says Kharge

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), June 11 (IANS) Congress national President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids were intended to split the party in the state.

He said this while taking objections to the ED raids at locations linked to four Congress leaders — one MP and three MLAs — and others in the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board scam case.

Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi, Kharge said, “The ED officials know the reason behind the raids against the Congress leaders. The ED raids are nothing new. The money from all parties was seized during election times, but no one knows where that seized money went.”

Kharge further said that Congress MLAs are being targeted, and the Enforcement Directorate officials have had a grudge against the party from the beginning. He suggested that the objective behind these ED raids and harassment might be to split the Congress, but he asserted that such a move is impossible.

“The raids are currently conducted over the allegation of utilising government funds in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. This is not tenable,” he stated.

Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, who was in Delhi, said he learned about the ED raids from the media. “According to me, there is no connection between the Congress leaders and the scam. The media reported that one of the personal secretaries carried a note from one of the leaders. Our ministers and legislators are not involved in this,” he stated.

“They have not distributed money to voters, and no money was used in the election. The officers have informed me that about 90 per cent of the misused money has been recovered from the responsible officers. There is no connection between our legislators, MP, and this scam,” he reiterated.

Reacting to the ED raids, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Chikkaballapura, “Let the action be initiated against whoever is guilty. I will not support the guilty in this regard. The probe is being conducted and let the truth come out,” he stated.

Basavaraj Rayareddy, the Economic Advisor of CM Siddaramaiah, reacted in Delhi, saying, “It is not correct to target only the Congress leaders. The probe is being conducted by the state government. The raids are conducted to instil fear among the Congress leaders and representatives of the people. The BJP is carrying out politics of hatred these days,” he said.

Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad said the BJP has reduced the ED into its tool to tackle political opponents.

The ED was conducting raids at locations linked to four Congress leaders and others in connection with the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board scam in Ballary district and Bengaluru.

A team of 60 officers attached to the ED were conducting simultaneous raids in eight locations, five in Ballary and three in Bengaluru city, since early this morning, sources stated.

According to ED sources, raids are currently underway at the residences and offices of Congress Ballary MP E. Tukaram and Congress MLAs Na. Ra. Bharath Reddy, J.N. Ganesh aka Kampli Ganesh and N. T. Srinivas.

Sources further stated that raids are also being conducted at the Bengaluru office of former Minister and Congress MLA Nagendra.

The residence of Govardhan, the personal assistant of Ballary Congress MLA and former Minister B. Nagendra, is also being raided.

–IANS

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