Latest news with #Chhath
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
A glimpse of changing Bihar, flyers feel as new terminal at Patna airport begins operations
Patna: Passengers travelling to and from Bengaluru were the first to use the state-of-the-art new terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, which began its operations on Tuesday after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29. Among the passengers on Day 1 was Union minister Giriraj Singh who said, "I got the opportunity to fly as the first passenger from the newly built terminal of the Patna airport. This was not just a journey but a glimpse of the changing Bihar, which is modern, and full of convenience and confidence," he said. Also among the Day-1 passengers was BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal. "I am among the fortunate flyers travelling from the new terminal on its first day of operation. When I used to see airports in other states and compared them to Patna airport, I felt we were lagging behind. However, with the blessings of the PM, not only has Patna airport has become world-class, the foundation for a second airport has also been laid, making Patna the third city in the country to have two airports," he said. Talking to the reporters outside the terminal building, the MP added he was extremely grateful to the Airports Authority of India and its architects for the beautiful design. "We always felt there should be more flights from here, and now 75 flights will operate, providing customers with cheaper ticket rates," he said. Many people inside the terminal were seen taking photos and selfies with beautiful murals and Mithila paintings like that of Chhath festivities, Chanakya, Lord Buddha, Mahavira and the cradle of civilisation. A cultural programme was held in the morning at the entry gate, soon after it was opened for the flyers. A grand welcome was given to the passengers at the entrance gate of the new terminal with application of sandalwood tilak on their foreheads and by sprinkling rose water. Airport director Krishna Mohan Nehra said the flyers were happy with the grand welcome, which was followed by the cultural event. The first flight between Bengaluru and Patna landed here at 7.14am with around 170 passengers. The flight 6E-5127 departed at 8.09am for Bengaluru. The airport is now operating 98 flights, including 49 arrivals and 49 departures, a day. Special security arrangements have been made at the Patna airport, keeping in mind the safety of passengers. "About 20 jawans of Patna police have been deployed at the entry and exit gates for the next 10 days," Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Avakash Kumar said. Apart from this, 20 additional traffic police personnel are also being deployed. The airport police station in charge has been ordered to regularly patrol the entire area. A flyer, Alok, however, noted some disorganisation and significant crowding at security checks on the terminal's opening day, suggesting teething issues as the operations began. Another flyer, Gaurav Mehta, who was travelling to Mumbai, said there was a minor glitch, as the airlines seemed confused with the new set-up. "DigiYatra (contactless travel gate) was not functioning till afternoon, which caused minor chaos at the security gate. Overall, the experience is good, and I believe things will settle with time," he said. "The new terminal is much bigger, and there is a lot of space in the security hold area. The interior design of the building looks beautiful," Priyanka Kashyap, another traveller flying to Delhi, said. The new building features five aerobridges (of which one is operational initially), 64 check-in counters, five conveyor belts, 13 boarding gates, eight inline XBIS machines, seven hand baggage scanning machines in the security hold area with ATRS and a multi-level car parking for 1,100 vehicles among other facilities. It has the capacity to accommodate one crore passengers annually and 3,000 at peak time. Patna: Passengers travelling to and from Bengaluru were the first to use the state-of-the-art new terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, which began its operations on Tuesday after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29. Among the passengers on Day 1 was Union minister Giriraj Singh who said, "I got the opportunity to fly as the first passenger from the newly built terminal of the Patna airport. This was not just a journey but a glimpse of the changing Bihar, which is modern, and full of convenience and confidence," he said. Also among the Day-1 passengers was BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal. "I am among the fortunate flyers travelling from the new terminal on its first day of operation. When I used to see airports in other states and compared them to Patna airport, I felt we were lagging behind. However, with the blessings of the PM, not only has Patna airport has become world-class, the foundation for a second airport has also been laid, making Patna the third city in the country to have two airports," he said. Talking to the reporters outside the terminal building, the MP added he was extremely grateful to the Airports Authority of India and its architects for the beautiful design. "We always felt there should be more flights from here, and now 75 flights will operate, providing customers with cheaper ticket rates," he said. Many people inside the terminal were seen taking photos and selfies with beautiful murals and Mithila paintings like that of Chhath festivities, Chanakya, Lord Buddha, Mahavira and the cradle of civilisation. A cultural programme was held in the morning at the entry gate, soon after it was opened for the flyers. A grand welcome was given to the passengers at the entrance gate of the new terminal with application of sandalwood tilak on their foreheads and by sprinkling rose water. Airport director Krishna Mohan Nehra said the flyers were happy with the grand welcome, which was followed by the cultural event. The first flight between Bengaluru and Patna landed here at 7.14am with around 170 passengers. The flight 6E-5127 departed at 8.09am for Bengaluru. The airport is now operating 98 flights, including 49 arrivals and 49 departures, a day. Special security arrangements have been made at the Patna airport, keeping in mind the safety of passengers. "About 20 jawans of Patna police have been deployed at the entry and exit gates for the next 10 days," Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Avakash Kumar said. Apart from this, 20 additional traffic police personnel are also being deployed. The airport police station in charge has been ordered to regularly patrol the entire area. A flyer, Alok, however, noted some disorganisation and significant crowding at security checks on the terminal's opening day, suggesting teething issues as the operations began. Another flyer, Gaurav Mehta, who was travelling to Mumbai, said there was a minor glitch, as the airlines seemed confused with the new set-up. "DigiYatra (contactless travel gate) was not functioning till afternoon, which caused minor chaos at the security gate. Overall, the experience is good, and I believe things will settle with time," he said. "The new terminal is much bigger, and there is a lot of space in the security hold area. The interior design of the building looks beautiful," Priyanka Kashyap, another traveller flying to Delhi, said. The new building features five aerobridges (of which one is operational initially), 64 check-in counters, five conveyor belts, 13 boarding gates, eight inline XBIS machines, seven hand baggage scanning machines in the security hold area with ATRS and a multi-level car parking for 1,100 vehicles among other facilities. It has the capacity to accommodate one crore passengers annually and 3,000 at peak time.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bihar Assembly polls likely to be held in two to three phases: Sources
Sources told India Today TV that the Bihar 2025 Assembly elections will likely be conducted in two to three phases. The election schedule is expected to be planned keeping in mind major festivals like Diwali and Chhath, sources added. The current term of the Bihar Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and the election process must be completed before the last two elections also, Bihar saw polling over multiple phases. In 2020, the voting took place in three phases - 71 seats on October 28, 94 seats on November 3, and 78 seats on November 7 - with results declared on November 10. In 2015, the elections were held in five Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is expected to visit Bihar later this month to review preparations. Meanwhile, training is being provided to poll officials, including Booth Level Officers (BLOs), to ensure accuracy in the electoral process. The Commission aims to avoid allegations over the voter list like those faced in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi. To maintain transparency, the Commission has stated that no appeals were filed after the publication of final electoral rolls in Bihar, Haryana and Delhi between January 6 and 10, 2025. All BLOs will be issued ID cards to verify voter details through door-to-door visits. A special campaign will also be launched to add the names of first-time voters who have turned streamline election management, the Election Commission is introducing a single-point app ECINET, an integrated digital dashboard, that replaces the earlier need to use 40 different apps and websites. This system is expected to be fully functional by the Bihar measures are being implemented to address past concerns. Duplicate Electors Photo Identification Card (EPIC) numbers have been eliminated, and voter rolls will now be linked to the Registrar General of India's death records to remove names of deceased the voters, multiple improvements are being introduced: the number of electors per polling booth will be reduced from 1,500 to 1,200, more booths will be set up in densely populated areas, and efforts will be made to ensure no voter has to walk more than two kilometers to reach a polling booths will also be set up in high-rise buildings and voters will have access to mobile deposit facilities outside polling stations. Voter slips will now feature clearly printed serial and part numbers for easier Commission is also preparing to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. A dedicated cell will be set up to monitor AI-related election content. Political parties have already been advised to label AI-generated campaign material clearly to keep voters Watch
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bihar Assembly Polls Likely In 2-3 Phases; EC To Avoid Dates Coinciding With Diwali, Chhath
Last Updated: The term of the current Bihar assembly is scheduled to end on November 22 this year, thus the elections must be held before this date. The Bihar Assembly Elections are likely to be held in two to three phases, and the decision on the poll schedule will be taken keeping dates of Diwali and Chhath festivals in view, sources said on Monday. The Election Commission of India has begun preparations for polls for the state Assembly, the term of which will end on November 22 this year. It is therefore mandatory for the election process to be completed before the tenure of the current government comes to an end. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will visit Bihar this month to take stock of the situation. The ECI has already begun the training of its staff for the polls. Sources said that the ECI is making efforts to nullify the Opposition's allegations related to voter list fraud, like those made in previous Assembly polls, including in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi. 'That's why training for BLOs (Booth Level Officers) has also been conducted. All BLOs will be provided identity cards so that they can go door-to-door for verification," sources said. A campaign will also be launched in Bihar to update the voter list, so that the names of young people turning 18 can be added. 'Now there will be no duplicate EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers — they have been eliminated," sources said. Notably, after a crushing defeat in Maharashtra, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had alleged voter fraud, claiming that additional voters were added to the list to benefit the BJP. 'Soon, a special cell will be formed within the Commission to monitor AI-related issues," sources said. First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:56 IST
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
2 Or 3 Phases, Space For Diwali And Chhath: Sources On Bihar Election Dates
New Delhi: The 2025 Bihar Assembly Election may be held over two or three phases, Election Commission sources told NDTV Monday. The schedule will be decided keeping Diwali and Chhath Puja in mind, the sources also said. Diwali this year will be on October 20 and Chhath on October 28. The Bihar Assembly term ends on November 22, so the election process (including counting and declaration of results) must be finished before that. Sources said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will visit the state sometime this month to oversee preparations. Meanwhile, the poll panel is training to BLO, or booth level operators to ensure a fair election, and avoid allegations related to voter lists like those made by the Congress and other opposition parties after the 2024 Maharashtra and Haryana elections and the Delhi election in February. The Bharatiya Janata Party romped to victories in all three. In Delhi it thumped the Aam Aadmi Party to claim power in the national capital for the first time in nearly three decades, and in Haryana it overcame a strong start by the Congress to retain power for a third consecutive term in the heartland state. In Maharashtra voter list fraud was alleged after the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi failed to perform like in the Lok Sabha election a few months earlier. The Election Commission had strongly refused all such claims. And now, as part of a renewed effort to counter such allegations, the poll panel will provide all BLOs with identity cards, sources said. This will allow them to go door-to-door for verification. Also, a campaign will be held to update the voter list, so people turning 18 can be added. This will also, sources said, eliminate the problem of duplicate voter ID numbers. The Election Commission is also prepared to deal with challenges posed by AI, sources said. 2020 Bihar Election The 2020 Bihar election was held in three phases; voting was on October 28, November 3, and November 7, with results announced on November 10. The result was an overwhelming victory for the BJP and Janata Dal (United)-led alliance, but there was much drama that followed. JDU boss and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lived up to his ' paltu Kumar' sobriquet in just two years later, in August 2022, declaring "I would rather die than go with the BJP (anymore)". He re-aligned with Tejashwi Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, but then flipped again. Amid confusion and controversy, in January 2024 he dumped the RJD and returned to the BJP's side. The 2025 election will be keenly watched, as much for what Nitish Kumar does next as for the BJP building up steam ahead of a critical round of state polls next year, when Bengal and Assam will vote. Both polls will likely be dominated by fierce debates over issues like immigration. In 2026 Tamil Nadu and Kerala will also vote. Both states have historically rejected the BJP and its brand of muscular nationalism, with the former giving the DMK and Congress alliance big wins in the past three major polls - the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Youth held for murder, search on for other accused
Panchkula: One of the four accused of the murder of Akash (26) from Sector 20 here was arrested Monday. Rajveer alias Blackia was about to board a train from Ambala railway station when crime branch sleuths caught him. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Akash was killed last Friday. Police said their rivalry started during Chhath last year when Rajveer and Mohit, another accused in the case, tried to snatch a mobile phone from Akash. Akash lodged a police complaint in this regard, after which they were said to have become sworn enemies. Though some people tried to mediate between them and settle the matter, Rajveer and Mohit allegedly held a grudge against Akash. Both of them also reportedly had several arguments with Akash earlier. Akash, who was also booked in a murder case, was attacked with sharp-edged weapons allegedly by Mohit alias Munshi, Rajbir and two others. They allegedly killed Akash and took away his motorcycle. Mandeep Singh, incharge of Sector 26 crime branch here, said the search for the other accused is on. Raids are being conducted to recover the knife used in the murder.
