Departure: 06:00 AM from New Delhi.
Arrival: 02:00 PM at Varanasi.
Frequency: Operates 6 days a week (not running on Thursday)

Return Journey – Varanasi to New Delhi

The return service (Train No. 22435) connects Varanasi with New Delhi in the evening.

Departure: 03:00 PM from Varanasi
Arrival: 11:00 PM at New Delhi
Frequency: 6 days a week (except Thursday)

Qazigund, Apr 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 19 for the inauguration of the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar has been postponed, officials said on Monday.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the PM’s visit to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express on a stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-km-long mega railway project, has been postponed.

Preparations were already underway for the high-profile visit, with mock drills and trial runs being conducted on the USBRL section.

Speaking to KNO, Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), confirmed the postponement of the PM’s visit, stating that no fresh date has been announced yet.

The Vande Bharat Express, specially designed to operate in sub-zero temperatures of the Kashmir Valley, is already stationed at Katra. The train consists of eight fully air-conditioned coaches equipped with cab heating, HVAC systems with 9kW heating capacity, sealed gangways, infotainment displays, CCTV surveillance, LED lighting, mobile charging ports, automatic plug doors, and electro-pneumatic brakes.

Although the train is capable of running at speeds up to 160 km/h, it will operate at a limited speed of 85 km/h between Katra and Srinagar, as per the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) approval.

Officials said the journey will reduce travel time between the two cities to just three hours, compared to the current 6–7 hours by road.

The USBRL project spans 272 km and includes 119 km of tunnels. It connects major areas including Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Baramulla. Two iconic engineering marvels—the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge—are part of this ambitious project.

The Chenab Bridge stands at 467 meters, making it 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. Officials revealed that around 29,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction. Designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8, the bridge posed significant engineering challenges due to its location in a high-seismic zone.

Approved in 1994–95 and declared a National Project in 2002, the USBRL has been completed in phases. Key sections such as Qazigund–Baramulla (2009), Banihal–Qazigund (2013), Udhampur–Katra (2014), and Banihal–Sangaldan (2020) have already been commissioned. A trial run of MEMU trains was also successfully conducted last year on the electrified Reasi–Sangaldan section.

Currently, train services in the Valley are operational only on the Sangaldan–Baramulla section, while long-distance trains terminate at Katra.

Sets benchmark to establish 300 hotels by 2030, to offer enhanced travel and hospitality benefits to their respective loyalty program members.

Accor and InterGlobe have deepened their strategic partnership to create a robust hospitality platform, featuring a diverse portfolio of brands and distribution across all market segments. Aims to establish a network of 300 hotels under Accor brands across India by 2030.

What does this initiative bring?

Through this strategic update, Accor and InterGlobe will consolidate their existing assets, development, and management operations in India into a single, autonomous, and integrated platform. This new entity will serve as the exclusive vehicle for expanding all Accor brands in the country, including the luxury and lifestyle offerings from Ennismore. Accor will continue to oversee operations and brand management while ensuring full access to its global brand ecosystem and services.

Treebo, which currently operates 800 hotels across 120 cities through its tech-driven platform and robust distribution systems, will now play a central role in the development of Accor’s Ibis and Mercure brands in India. As part of this strategic alliance, Accor and InterGlobe will make a joint investment in Treebo, becoming its largest shareholders.

Under a master license agreement, Treebo will lead the expansion of Ibis and Mercure in the Indian market. In a major milestone for the partnership, Treebo has already secured agreements with property owners to launch 10 new Mercure hotels, marking a strong start to the brand’s renewed growth journey in the country.By integrating Accor’s global brand strength with Treebo’s technological edge, the partnership aims to tap into India’s largely unbranded hotel segment. With a combined portfolio of over 30,000 rooms, the alliance aims to position itself as India’s third-largest hospitality player, poised for significant nationwide impact.

‘IndiGo BluChip’ X ‘ALL – Accor Live Limitless Members‘

IndiGo has signed a strategic agreement with Accor to offer enhanced travel and hospitality benefits to their respective loyalty program members. The collaboration aims to create a unified value proposition that deepens member engagement and builds long-term loyalty.

As part of this partnership, the two brands will explore a wide range of initiatives, including reward point sharing, co-branded loyalty programs, and seamless two-way point conversion. This integration will allow members to earn and redeem points across flights, hotel stays, and curated experiences.

Additionally, IndiGo and Accor will collaborate on joint marketing campaigns and identify future growth opportunities to further strengthen their alliance in the travel ecosystem.

Sharing more on this strategic roadmap, Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo, said, “Last year, on IndiGo’s 18th anniversary, we announced the launch of our BluChip loyalty program. Since its debut, over 2 million members have already enrolled. We have expanded significantly in the UAE and Thailand in cities like Bangkok, Krabi, and beyond. These destinations feature a strong portfolio of Accor hotels. Our Indian customers flying domestically can now earn BluChip points and redeem them at Accor hotels internationally.”

“With the rapid growth of international traffic and our expanding global network, we believe this partnership has come at just the right time, shortly after BluChip’s introduction. We are excited to enter into this strategic, long-term relationship.”

Elbers further explained that the first step is to ensure both partners can leverage each other’s networks, hotels and flights, while also integrating in the digital space to collaborate more effectively. “It’s been six months since the launch of the program, but once you found the right partner, I believe we can move swiftly and ensure that this pace truly benefits both IndiGo and Accor customers,” he added.

Sharing from Accor’s perspective, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Accor, said, “We are thrilled to take this bold step with IndiGo and look forward to shaping the future of travel together. All the operational expertise, distribution, and capital will be channelled into this partnership through two dedicated teams within the new platform, one focused on ‘luxury & lifestyle’, and the other on ‘premium escape & economy’.

“With this collaboration, we aim to multiply our resources and grow five times faster. While our benchmark is 300 hotels by 2030, that’s not the endgame, we are just getting started”, added Bazin.

Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director, InterGlobe Enterprises added, “I am delighted to further strengthen our two-decade long association with Accor through this strategic partnership. Together with InterGlobe’s deep market insights, Accor’s world-class services, India’s dynamic growth and evolving travel landscape, we aim to redefine the hospitality experience by offering exceptional value to our guests and setting new standards for excellence in the industry.”

Radisson Hotels announced the launch of Radisson Collection Resort Galle, the first of its kind in South-East Asia. The resort features 106 appointed rooms, suites, and penthouses, with amenities and a fully stocked mini bar.

The hotel offers a range of stay options including suites and penthouse; Catch Restaurant & Lounge; Namikaze Restaurant & Bar; Taboo Beach Club; State-of-the-art wellness facilities, including a gym, spa, and retreat; and Kids’ Club & 24-hour nanny services

Radisson Collection Resort, Galle is a 20-minute (9km) drive away from the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Unawatuna beach is a 10-minute (5km) drive from the resort, while Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo City is a 2 hour drive.

Direct flights from Hisar in Haryana to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh are finally here and devotees are thrilled; will operate twice every week.

A new flight between Hisar in Haryana and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh will operate twice per week — on Fridays and Saturdays, the state government said here on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the maiden flight from Hisar on Monday, boosting tourism and pilgrimage to Ayodhya.

“The inaugural flight landed at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya, at 12.35 pm, where it received a grand welcome with a traditional water cannon salute,” the government said in a statement.

The Hisar-Ayodhya flight will operate on Fridays and Sundays every week. It will have a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, it said. After landing at 12.35 pm, the flight will depart for Hisar at 1 pm, it said.

The route is being serviced by an ATR-72 aircraft with a seating capacity of 72.

The UP government said the flight showed an “encouraging start reflecting strong initial demand, with 61 passengers arriving in Ayodhya and 42 departing for Hisar on its first day.

The new air service will enhance Ayodhya’s connectivity and support its growing prominence as a religious tourism hub.

Since the consecration of the Ram Mandir under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Ayodhya has witnessed an influx of lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad. Direct flights from cities like Hisar saves time and makes travel and convenient, according to the statement.

Moreover, the flight is expected to boost the local economy, providing growth opportunities for hotels, transport services, and other tourism-related businesses, it said.

Airport Director Vinod Kumar and staff greeted passengers with great enthusiasm. Passengers were offered roses, tilak was applied on their forehead and a cake was cut amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ to mark the occasion.

No ATM nearby? Indian Railways says, ‘No problem’—We put one on the train!

In a first, Indian Railways has installed an ATM on a trial basis — on the Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express in Maharashtra.

ATM On Wheels initiative is in accordance with the Railway Board’s directive to explore innovative methods to boost railway revenue through non-fare revenue.

A meeting was held with all potential vendors on March 25, 2025. During the meeting, the concept of installing mobile ATMs on trains was proposed.

Similarly, a trial run was conducted on April 10, 2025, on 12110 Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express. The mini pantry space was converted by the mechanical team into an ATM installation area.

“The ATM was properly secured for its maiden journey with rubber pads and bolts for vibration isolation. Two fire extinguishers have also been provided in the allotted space,” railways said.

In the quest to Viksit Bharat 2047, Indian Railways continued its transformative journey, paving the way for a new era of modernization and progress.

With a strong focus on meeting world class travel experience, boosting freight efficiency, and adopting advanced technologies, the Railways has solidified its role as a catalyst for national growth.

Modern stations, state-of-the-art trains, and innovative safety systems are reshaping the landscape of rail travel.

Under ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, 1,337 stations have been identified for redevelopment.

Indian Railways achieved 6,450 km of complete track renewal, 8,550 turnout renewals, and raised speeds to 130 kmph over 2,000 km in 2024

Indian Railways electrified 3,210 Rkm in 2024, extending the electrified BG network to 97 per cent with renewable energy capacity reaching 2,014 MW.

A record 136 Vande Bharat trains and the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail were introduced, alongside 21,513 special train trips during peak seasons.

10,000 Locos being equipped with Kavach safety technology, 9000 technicians trained and bids invited for 15,000 Rkm.

No entry: Dream destination Maldives drops a travel bombshell with shocking passport ban, Israelis no longer welcome in this tropical paradise amid Gaza war.

The Maldives has banned Israeli passport holders from entering its territory, the president’s office said on Wednesday, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza war, an allegation Israel has repeatedly denied.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu ratified an amendment to the country’s immigration law after it was passed by parliament on Tuesday, a statement from his office said.

The amendment introduces a new provision to the Immigration Act, expressly prohibiting the entry of visitors with Israeli passports into the Maldives, it added.

“The ratification reflects the Government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” the statement said.

The Israeli foreign ministry and the country’s consular office in Colombo did not respond to requests for comment.

Israel has consistently rejected any accusation of genocide, saying it has respected international law and has a right to defend itself after the cross-border Hamas attack from Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 that prompted the war.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), UN body responsible for shaping airline policy, is planning to overhaul current boarding procedures with the introduction of a “digital travel credential,” according to reports in The Times and The Guardian.

This change will eliminate the need for traditional boarding passes and check-ins. Instead of the usual check-in process, passengers will upload their passports to their phones and pass through the airport seamlessly.

A “journey pass” will also be downloaded to the passenger’s device, continuously updated with any changes to the booking. Through facial recognition, airlines will be notified of passenger arrivals.

Depending on the type of luggage, passengers will either go through security at the bag drop (for checked luggage) or at the pre-security gates (for carry-on luggage).

Valerie Viale, director of product management at Amadeus, the world’s largest travel technology company, discussed these significant changes with The Times: “Many airline systems haven’t changed for more than 50 years; the last major upgrade was the adoption of e-ticketing in the early 2000s.”

Digital ‘Journey Pass’ Under the current system, passengers book a flight, and check-in opens 24 or 48 hours prior to departure. Passport details are then entered, and a seat is assigned. The new “Journey Pass” will allow passengers to download all relevant booking details, including additional services like car rentals. To address privacy concerns, the system will automatically delete passenger details within 15 seconds of contact with touchpoints, such as security gates.

Emirates Airline has carried 90 million passengers between the UAE and India since 1985, highlighting the strong growth in travel and aviation ties between the nations.

Emirates Airline, a cornerstone of the UAE’s strong relationship with India, has transported over 90 million passengers between Dubai and India since its launch in 1985.

This milestone was unveiled during the first official visit to India by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and UAE Minister of Defence. His visit, which concluded on Wednesday, highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations.

Emirates now operates 167 weekly flights, connecting Dubai to nine major Indian cities, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office (DMO). This achievement underscores the growing importance of the India-Dubai air route, with Emirates playing a crucial role in bolstering travel connectivity between the countries.

A key development in this ongoing partnership, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and CEO of Emirates Group, emphasized the airline’s enduring relationship with India during the visit.

As aviation ties between Dubai and India continue to strengthen, the demand for air travel between the two nations has skyrocketed. The DMO reports that 538 weekly flights are now operated by six major airlines, connecting Dubai to 23 Indian cities. These impressive numbers reinforce the significance of the Dubai-India air corridor, one of the world’s busiest and most vital.

India remains the largest market for Dubai International Airport (DXB), with 12 million out of 92.3 million total passengers traveling between Dubai and India in 2024. This highlights the sustained demand for air travel between the two countries, driven by their robust economic, cultural, and tourism ties.

The booming tourism sector is further evidenced by Dubai’s record-breaking 3.14 million visitors from South Asia in 2024, with India contributing the largest share of this influx.

The growth of Dubai’s aviation network is expected to continue fostering stronger bilateral relations in trade, tourism, and business between the UAE and India, offering enhanced connectivity for millions of travelers and solidifying Dubai’s position as a premier global aviation hub.