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Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, marking one of India’s most modern and eco-friendly airports.

The new greenfield airport, spread over 1,160 hectares, is being developed for Rs 19,650 crore. The domestic flight operations are expected to commence in the first week of December 2025, followed by international operations in another two months.

Work on one of the airport’s two runways has been completed. All terminals will be connected through an integrated system, providing improved passenger convenience.

For passenger convenience, direct check-in at the metro station and baggage service will be provided through the “One-Up End-to-End Baggage Facility” app.

With environmental protection in mind, the airport has placed special emphasis on green energy and water conservation. The terminal will showcase Indian culture through digital art, while artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be used in various operational processes.

To improve connectivity, a new road is being constructed from Atal Setu to Kosthal Road. The Metro Line 8 is also expected to be approved soon, connecting both Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports. Additionally, a water taxi service will be launched soon. The airport has parking facilities for 350 aircraft and separate taxiways for both runways. The entire project will be completed in four years.

The opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport will significantly increase the air traffic capacity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and will emerge as a symbol of India’s progressive development.

According to the NMIA fact sheet, the airport will handle 90 million passengers per annum and a cargo of 3.25 million metric tonnes per annum after it is fully completed.

Phase one facilitates providing 20 million passengers per annum and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo capacity. The airport’s ownership is held by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, comprising MIAL (74 per cent) and CIDCO (26 per cent). The Director General of Civil Aviation granted an Aerodrome License to NMIA on September 30.

NMIA and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport together form a multi-airport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, establishing an aviation hub with a combined ultimate passenger capacity of up to 150 million passengers per annum. NMIA will ease congestion and elevate Mumbai into the league of global multi-airport systems.

–IANS

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Srinagar, May 26 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat on Tuesday reviewed security arrangements ahead of Eid-ul-Adha and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2026.

A police statement said on Tuesday that DGP Nalin Prabhat chaired a meeting at the Police Control Room Kashmir to review security arrangements for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha and Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 (SANJY-2026).

The meeting witnessed participation from senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, Traffic Police, Railways, and various security agencies. Among those present were the IGP Kashmir Zone; IG BSF Ftr Hqrs Srinagar, IG CRPF Srinagar Sector; all range DIGs of Kashmir Zone; DIG Railway; DIGs of BSF SHQ Srinagar, Ops BSF FTR HQ Kashmir, and BSF SHQ Bandipora; DIG SSB Srinagar; DIGs of CRPF KOS, CRPF South/North Srinagar, CRPF Anantnag, CRPF SKOR Awantipora, CRPF NKR Baramulla, and CRPF Bandipora; DIG CISF; DIG ITBP Srinagar; all district SSPs/PDs of Kashmir Zone; SSPs of PCR Kashmir, Railways Kashmir, Traffic Rural Kashmir, and APCR Kashmir; Col GS (IS) 15 Corps; Asstt. Commandant CISF Airport Srinagar, and other senior officers.

Emphasising the importance of peaceful Eid celebrations, Jammu and Kashmir DGP directed officers to ensure comprehensive crowd management arrangements at mosques and key congregation venues across the Valley.

The DGP stressed the necessity of strengthening security measures, safeguarding public movement, and deploying personnel at sensitive locations to prevent overcrowding.

He further instructed field officers to enhance surveillance, carry out random inspections at vulnerable areas, and intensify patrolling to effectively address any potential security concerns during the festive occasion.

During the meeting, the participating officers presented detailed briefings on the proposed security and logistical arrangements, as well as preparedness measures for the smooth conduct of SANJY-2026.

Officers from the CAPFs and other security forces also shared their assessments and underscored the need for seamless coordination and synergy among all agencies involved.

Additionally, the officers briefed the chair regarding the administrative and logistical arrangements made for the incoming CAPF companies. The DGP issued directives for the smooth induction of CAPF companies and emphasised that district heads must ensure proper arrangements for incoming units and their efficient ground deployment.

Emphasising the importance of robust security management, the DGP directed officers to ensure strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and adopt proactive strategies to counter potential threats.

He stressed the need for heightened vigilance to safeguard pilgrims and maintain a secure environment throughout the yatra period.

The police chief further instructed field formations to intensify efforts aimed at dismantling the terror ecosystem and strengthening area domination along the pilgrimage routes.

Directions were also issued for the deployment of Anti-Sabotage teams and the use of advanced surveillance systems and real-time monitoring mechanisms to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all participating agencies to maintain the highest level of coordination, preparedness, and operational efficiency to ensure the peaceful, secure, and successful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, Dec 12 (IANS) Building on the global success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, launched in 2003 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is now steering Gujarat toward a more granular model of growth.

His new initiative, the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences (VGRC), aims to spotlight the unique strengths and sectoral opportunities of each region, ensuring development reaches every corner of the state.

As part of this four-region plan, the Saurashtra-Kutch edition of VGRC will be held in Rajkot from January 10 to 12, 2026.

To promote the upcoming conference and engage international stakeholders, the Gujarat government hosted a dialogue session in New Delhi on December 12. Diplomats and representatives from over 20 countries – including Russia, Canada, Israel, Singapore, the UAE, Finland, and South Africa – participated in the discussion.

The session underscored VGRC’s theme, “Regional Aspirations, Global Ambitions,” and highlighted Gujarat’s push for an inclusive, innovative and sustainable economic ecosystem.

Key areas of collaboration – fisheries, ports, the Dholera Special Investment Region, and tourism – were presented as major opportunity zones, with detailed conversations on B2B prospects, partnership benefits, and logistical support for participating nations.

Officials also showcased the success of North Gujarat’s first VGRC held in Mehsana, which secured investment MoUs worth Rs 3.24 lakh crore.

Senior officials from the Government of India’s DPIIT, the Union Fisheries Department, Invest India, and various Gujarat departments – including Industries & Mines, Tourism, Maritime Board and Dholera SIR – attended the session.

With growing foreign interest and a renewed focus on regional strengths, VGRC is emerging as Gujarat’s next strategic leap: a platform that takes the state’s “Gateway to the Future” promise from global corridors to regional growth centres.

Vibrant Gujarat began as an ambitious investment summit to rebuild the state’s economy after the 2001 earthquake and position Gujarat as a global business destination.

Over the years, it has evolved into India’s most influential economic summit, attracting heads of state, multinational CEOs, global policymakers and major investors.

Each edition has expanded in scale, focusing on sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, innovation, logistics and startups, while projecting Gujarat as a hub of stability, policy clarity and ease of doing business.

Now, with two decades of momentum, Vibrant Gujarat has transformed from a regional investment meet into a globally recognised platform that shapes India’s economic diplomacy and long-term development vision.

–IANS

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