Latest news with #Awasthi
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Raja Bhoj Airport takes up slew of measures to boost safety, efficiency
Bhopal: Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is undergoing significant renovations. The facility is implementing new features and enhancing existing infrastructure to boost safety and operational efficiency. The enhancements comprise an extended runway safety area, a newly constructed air traffic control tower, and improved emergency access routes. Additional developments include a new taxi track, fire station, and enhanced radar capabilities. These modifications are designed to comply with safety protocols and accommodate increased air traffic. Director, Ramjee Awasthi, said that safety for passengers and aircraft was their priority. "Our objective is to provide the best service to the travellers. Safety is an important aspect, and our objective is to implement the best possible safety measures at the airport," said Director Awasthi. The airport's recent focus on safety has yielded several crucial improvements. "A notable enhancement is the extended Runway End Safety Area (RESA), which increased from 90 metres to 150 metres, providing aircraft with additional stopping distance in case of runway overruns," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Your Patriotism: American Flag Bald Eagle Garland Graddi Read More Undo A newly constructed Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower replaces the previous structure, which was problematically positioned. The new tower provides controllers with enhanced visibility of the airfield, enabling more precise aircraft guidance. The facility has also realigned its boundary wall in the operational zone on the 30 side, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. New emergency access roads have been constructed along both sides of the runway, adhering to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) specifications. These routes ensure swift access for emergency vehicles during incidents. The airport's approach system was upgraded from CAT I to CAT II, enabling aircraft landings in reduced visibility conditions and minimising weather-related disruptions. Ongoing developments include the construction of a full-length parallel taxi track, scheduled for completion by June 2026, which will facilitate improved aircraft movement. A fire station is under construction to enhance the airport's fire safety classification and operational capabilities. The implementation of a new Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) is underway, with completion expected by Dec 2025, to improve air traffic management. Additional operational area realignment works are scheduled for completion by Dec 2025. These enhancements demonstrate Raja Bhoj Airport's dedication to safety and operational excellence. The facility continues to adapt to increasing air travel demands whilst ensuring compliance with DGCA CAR requirements, benefiting passengers, airlines, and the local community.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
AAI's incentives to boost intn'l flights at Bhopal
Bhopal: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) initiated a significant development for international air connectivity at Bhopal airport. AAI introduced a scheme of incentives to attract airline operators in Bhopal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Director of Bhopal airport, Ramji Awasthi, stated that the operations department of AAI wants to boost international flights at thirteen underused international airports, including Bhopal's Raja Bhoj airport. "These airports currently have no international connections. To make this happen, they've proposed an incentive program for airlines," said Awasthi. He added, "The goal is to encourage airlines to start flying international routes from these locations. This will help these airports grow and better serve their communities." Airport officials mentioned that three of the 13 airports are major ones, while the other ten are smaller, non-major airports. The incentive scheme aims to encourage scheduled airlines to start international routes. The major airports included in the scheme are Patna, Srinagar, and Ayodhya. Srinagar and Port Blair are civil enclaves, meaning they share space with defence airports. The ten non-major airports are divided into three clusters. Cluster 1 includes Agartala, Imphal, Vadodara, and Bhopal. Cluster 2 has Rajkot, Gaya, Aurangabad, and Tirupati. Cluster 3 consists of Kushinagar and Port Blair. The incentive scheme offers benefits to airlines for each flight they land. For example, airlines flying to Agartala, Imphal, Vadodara, and Bhopal (Cluster 1) can get a full refund on landing fees, meaning they pay nothing to land their planes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Let's look at a specific example. An Airbus A320-74 MT landing at one of these airports would normally pay Rs. 57,129 in landing fees. With the 100% incentive, the airline pays nothing, saving them Rs. 57,129 per landing. Airlines also collect a "User Development Fee" (UDF) from passengers. This fee is used to improve airport facilities. For an A-320 with 144 passengers, the UDF collected would be Rs 107,280. The incentive scheme offers airlines a percentage of this UDF as an additional benefit. In Cluster 1, which includes Bhopal, the incentive is 10% of the UDF collected. This means airlines get an extra Rs 10,728, bringing the total UDF revenue to Rs 96,552. The total additional revenue for airlines in Cluster 1 is calculated from landing fee savings and UDF incentives. The 'Net Landing' revenue (savings on landing fees) for all four airports is Rs 474,426.4. The 'Net UDF' revenue (incentives on UDF) is Rs 75,580, giving a total additional revenue of Rs 548,476. The incentive percentages vary across the clusters, meaning the financial benefits for airlines will differ depending on which airports they fly to. The operations department hopes these incentives will be enough to attract airlines. More international flights will boost local economies and connect people to the world. The scheme aims to encourage international air connectivity and boost local economic development through these financial incentives.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Banke Bihari Corridor plan: UP CM's advisor holds discussions in Vrindavan, seeks consensus
Seeking a consensus on the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor project, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the chief minister, held meetings with local residents, traders and Goswamis (priests) in Vrindavan on Friday. The Goswamis (priests) from the Banke Bihari Temple have been vocal in opposing the Banke Bihari Corridor plan. 'It was a constructive discussion that we had with all, including locals and traders, and separately with Goswamis. They openly placed their viewpoint. We communicated that the state government was here to ensure development of the area and ensure better facilities for devotees coming to have darshan at the Banke Bihari Temple,' Awasthi said after the discussions. While a section of traders and residents voiced concerns about the plan, they were assured a patient hearing by Awasthi after the first round of discussions though, at one stage, some of them appeared to be on the brink of a boycott but returned for the talks. Agra divisional commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, deputy inspector general (Agra range) Shailesh Pandey, Mathura district magistrate CP Singh, Mathura senior superintendent of police Shlok Kumar and others were present in the meeting with the residents and traders held at the Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC). 'Large-scale development has taken place statewide in places of religious tourism. The state government wants Vrindavan to be a developed place with an opportunity for devotees to have a smooth 'darshan' at Banke Bihari temple. Locals, residents and traders have openly given suggestions. We are open to suggestions as we aim at a consensus in bringing up the Banke Bihari Corridor,' Awasthi said. He held a separate meeting with Goswamis at a location near the temple and was scheduled to have another meeting late on Friday evening. Opposing the corridor plan, Rajat Goswami of the Goswami community at the temple told HT they were against the ordinance bought to create a trust to run the temple and oversee the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor. Govind Khandelwal, a trader leader who attended the meeting with Awasthi, said 'We are against the map on which the Banke Bihari Corridor is based and have better alternatives. It is not a matter of compensation or money but what we want is that the heritage value of Vrindavan should remain unchanged.' Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai visited the Bankey Bihari temple on Thursday and assured the Goswami community of full support against the proposed project. 'The state government has a covetous eye on Banke Bihari temple and plans to have control over it and thus is bringing up such plans like the corridor,' said Ajay Rai who met women from Goswami family on Thursday evening. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak also offered prayers at the Banke Bihari Temple on Thursday and assured that a consensus will be reached. On May 15, the Supreme Court paved the way for a state government scheme to develop the Banke Bihari Corridor for the benefit of devotees. The apex court also allowed the state government to use temple funds to purchase five-acre land for the corridor. The state government on May 27 constituted a Trust to manage the Banke Bihari temple and oversee the work of the proposed corridor.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP CM adviser holds talks with Goswami community over Banke Bihari Corridor
Agra: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's adviser Awanish Kumar Awasthi on Friday, chaired a meeting at the tourist facilitation centre in Vrindavan, to discuss issues related to the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor with members of the Goswami community involved in the management of the temple, local shopkeepers and residents. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Awasthi said the proposed project aims to enhance facilities for pilgrims, and efficiently manage the increasing pilgrim footfall in the Mathura-Vrindavan area. "The number of pilgrims visiting the area is rising exponentially. Today's meeting focused on how to effectively cater to this surge while ensuring public confidence and participation in the planning process. This was the first round of discussions, and it was very productive," he said. On concerns raised by the Goswami community regarding the project, Awasthi said several suggestions had been put forth during the meeting. "The district magistrate and other officials will carefully evaluate these inputs. The state govt aims to proceed with the most inclusive and best possible option to take the project forward," Awasthi said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Established in 1862 in the heart of Vrindavan, the Shri Banke Bihari temple is administered by Shebaits — a hereditary priesthood responsible for daily rituals and temple management. It remains one of North India's most visited pilgrimage sites. The Supreme Court's May 15 verdict came amid ongoing protests by members of the Goswami community and local residents, who have opposed both the corridor project and the formation of Banke Bihari Temple Trust. The court's decision, delivered by a bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, cleared the way for the govt to move ahead with its Rs 500 crore redevelopment plan, which includes acquiring nearly five acres of land near the shrine, using temple funds. Calls for redevelopment intensified after a stampede-like incident during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, left two dead. In Sept 2023, the Allahabad high court directed the state govt to implement a corridor plan for improved crowd management and safety. While officials claim stakeholders were consulted, Shebaits and local residents have alleged they were excluded from the planning process. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
India Gazette
06-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
UP Govt advisor Awanish Awasthi visits Vrindavan, holds talks over opposition to Banke Bihari corridor
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) [India] June 6 (ANI): Awanish Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh government and former Chief Secretary, arrived in Vrindavan on Friday to address the ongoing opposition to the Banke Bihari Temple Corridor project. Awasthi began his visit by holding a meeting with officials to review the situation. He then visited the Banke Bihari Temple, where he performed the Dehri Pujan and offered Itr Seva. Following the rituals, he met with the temple's Goswami Sevayats to discuss the project, the resistance it has faced, and the potential benefits it could bring. After the discussions with the Goswamis, Awasthi's convoy proceeded to the Tourist Facility Centre (TFC) in Vrindavan, where he is currently holding a meeting with representatives from various sections of the local community to address concerns and deliberate on the corridor project. Earlier on May 27, the Supreme Court slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for 'hijacking' the litigation between two private parties over management of the Shri Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said that if the state government starts entering into private disputes between parties, it will result in a 'breakdown of the rule of law. The bench asked the counsel appearing for the state, 'Was the state a party to the proceedings? In what capacity has the state entered the dispute? If states start entering into private disputes between parties, it will break the rule of law. You can't hijack the litigation. In private litigation between two parties, a state filing an impleadment application and hijacking it is not permissible.' The apex court's observation came while hearing a petition seeking the modification of its order permitting the Uttar Pradesh government to utilise funds from the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan to purchase five acres of land around the temple for corridor development. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner Devendra Nath Gooswami, told the bench that a fund of Rs 300 crore has been given to the Uttar Pradesh government without making him a party. 'They can't take away the funds of a private temple,' said Sibal. On the other hand, counsel appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government told the bench the state has passed an Ordinance and set up a trust to manage the Banke Bihari temple and oversee work on the proposed corridor. 'Now, the enactment has come into force. Funds are with the Trust, not with the state. This enforcement will dilute the direction of the apex court. The state is not using the funds. The Ordinance bars the state from implementing the court's direction, and the Ordinance says the Trust will manage funds and the state has no role to play,' said the counsel of Uttar Pradesh. The apex court then directed the counsel for the state government to place on record a copy of the Ordinance passed concerning the Trust. It directed the concerned Principal Secretary to file an affidavit by July 29. The petition filed by Gooswami said he was a 'lineal descendant' of the temple's founder, Swami Hari Das Goswami, and his family had been managing the affairs of the sacred temple for the last 500 years. He said he actively managed the temple's daily religious and administrative affairs. In filing the plea, he said the implementation of the proposed redevelopment project was practically unfeasible, and any attempt to redevelop the temple premises without the involvement and input of those who were historically and operationally associated with the temple's functioning was likely to result in administrative chaos. On May 15, the top court had permitted the state to use the Trust's fund and also allowed the use of Sri Banke Bihari Temple Trust's fixed deposits after taking into note the state government's Rs. 500 crore development plan for the corridor. (ANI)
