Varanasi

New aviation model to cut travel time, expand global access: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Hub and Spoke international flights model will reduce travel time for passengers as well as being regions of India closer to global opportunities. The Hub and Spoke model seeks to enable seamless connectivity between Tier-II and Tier-III airports with international destinations. Under this model, Air India on Thursday launched flight operations from Varanasi that will connect passengers to various overseas cities through Delhi. Describing the launch of the first Hub and Spoke international flight operations as a historic milestone, Modi said better international connectivity creates new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, education and business. "It enables people from smaller cities to access global destinations through a single, integrated journey while also supporting the movement of goods and services. This will contribute to regional development and strengthen India's economic growth," he said in a message. The message

Explained: What is 'hub-and-spoke' aviation model and why it matters now

The government has launched the first service under the hub-and-spoke model; here's how the system works and what it could mean for travellers from smaller cities

Sajid Qureshi: The Mastermind Behind Landmark Film Deals Now Eyes 'Varanasi' as Indian Cinema's Next Global Phenomenon

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PM holds roadshow in Varanasi, offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Varanasi on Wednesday morning, the second day of his two-day visit, drawing large crowds along the route, party leaders said. The roadshow commenced from Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) and passed through Lahartara, Kachahri, Ambedkar Chauraha, Chaukaghat, Teliyabag, Lahurabir and Maidagin before culminating at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. At the temple, the prime minister offered prayers and performed rituals amid Vedic chants. After completing the prayers, Modi was welcomed by local representatives, who presented him with a trishul, damru and a traditional stole. The prime minister acknowledged the gesture and greeted the gathering. As he emerged from the temple complex, devotees raised slogans of "Har Har Mahadev", to which Modi responded by waving and folding his hands. He also briefly interacted with children present at the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. BJP media in-charge Arvind Mishra said people in Varanasi were eager to catch a ..

Temple town realty's new calling: Premium housing takes centre stage

Pilgrim footfall and investor demand spur gated, mixed-use projects

Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and a tribute to 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'

The Prime Minister reflects on the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, highlighting India's civilisational unity, cultural exchange, youth participation and the enduring spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat

Devotees take holy dip at Varanasi's Ganga ghat on occasion of Makar Sankranti

Watch devotees take holy dip at Varanasi's Ganga ghat on occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Land acquisition for townships near UP's religious cities in last stages

Ayodhya, Varanasi & Mathura in top bracket, says Housing Commissioner Balkar Singh

Kashi Vishwanath bans VIP darshan to manage devotee rush during New Year

Kashi Vishwanath Mandir CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra said the Temple Trust decided to suspend VIP darshan from December 24 due to expected increases in the number of devotees

How India travelled in 2025: Spiritual, concert-led trips top the chart

This surge in spiritual travel was much higher than the steady growth seen in 2024, when pilgrimage destinations such as Ayodhya and Varanasi recorded 50% growth

Varanasi police deploy next-gen drones for Kashi Tamil Sangamam security

The Varanasi district police have stepped up surveillance for the ongoing fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam by deploying an advanced fleet of new-generation drones. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Varanasi Commissionerate Saravanan Thangamani, a dedicated 10-member drone team is ensuring the safety and protection of the people visiting the venue. "We are using new-generation drones. Last year, there was usage of drones but it was minimal. We are using the three types of drones which are mini drones, micro drones and nano drones," he told PTI here. Highlighting the role of the drone fleet, he said the Mini Drone is unique as it can be self-charged, allowing round-the-clock operations unlike other battery-dependent models. "This drone has the capability to run 24x7 and ensure constant surveillance in a region," he explained. On the 'Macro Drone', the official said it is capable of monitoring a vast 2 km area. "It can cover a larger area and will be used in the jungl

Varanasi's 'diaper tree' video shocks internet, sparks civic sense debate

The clip, posted by vlogger Shweta Kataria with the text overlay "unique house of Varanasi", has triggered debate around civic sense and environmental awareness in Varanasi city, in UP

Case filed against 28 drug dealers in Varanasi for smuggling spurious syrup

A case has been registered against 28 drug dealers, including a father-son duo, in Varanasi for allegedly smuggling codeine-laced cough syrup for intoxication, police said on Monday. They said that an investigation by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department revealed that Shubham Jaiswal, a resident of Prahlad Ghat, Varanasi, and his father, Bholanath Prasad, supplied large quantities of the banned adulterated syrup to 26 Varanasi-based businessmen from their Ranchi-based firm, Shaili Traders. Subsequently, a case was registered on Saturday based on a complaint lodged by Drug Inspector Junab Ali in Varanasi, police said. In the complaint, the drug inspector mentioned that, following the discovery that Shaili Traders had been selling large quantities of codeine-laced cough syrup in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, the 26 Varanasi-based firms were inspected, and several were found to be closed. Calls to the numbers available on the firms' portals were

PM Modi to visit Varanasi today, flag off 4 new Vande Bharat Express trains

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold a roadshow in the city

Man tries to open emergency exit on flight at Varanasi airport; arrested

A man aboard an Akasa Air flight from Varanasi to Mumbai was detained after he tried to open the plane's emergency exit while it was taxiing for takeoff

PM Modi to visit Varanasi on Nov 7-8, flag off Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day tour of his his parliamentary constituency Varanasi from November 7, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here said on Monday. BJP's regional president Dilip Patel said the prime minister will arrive at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur on the evening of November 7, where he will be accorded a grand welcome. From there, he will proceed by road to the Bareka Guest House and hold a meeting with senior BJP leaders and prominent personalities. On November 8, Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat Express between Varanasi (Manduadih) and Khajuraho from the Varanasi Railway Station, Patel said. Following the event, he is scheduled to leave for Bihar to address an election rally. Preparations for the prime minister's visit and welcome have already begun, Patel added.

IndiGo flight to Srinagar makes precautionary landing in Varanasi

An IndiGo plane enroute to Srinagar from Kolkata made a precautionary landing at the Varanasi airport on Wednesday evening due to a technical issue. Sources said malfunctioning of a sensor in the aircraft led to a false alarm of fuel leakage, following which the plane landed in Varanasi. "IndiGo flight 6E 6961, operating from Kolkata to Srinagar, made a precautionary landing at Varanasi airport due to a suspected technical issue. As a safety measure, the aircraft has been grounded for necessary checks, and an alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey," the airline said in a statement. Specific details about the technical issue and the number of passengers onboard were not disclosed. The flight was operated with A320 neo aircraft, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.

What's PM Modi doing on his 75th birthday? Camps, tribal outreach & more

PM Modi turns 75 today with a day full of events - health camps, tribal schemes, sapling plantation and the launch of a textile park in Madhya Pradesh

PM Modi to hold roadshow in Varanasi, host Mauritius PM Ramgoolam today

During the bilateral discussions, the two leaders will review the full spectrum of cooperation, with particular focus on development partnership and capacity building

PM Modi to meet Mauritius PM in Varanasi, visit Dehradun to survey floods

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who is on a state visit to India, in Varanasi on Thursday and hold bilateral discussions with him. The meeting in the historic city underscores the enduring civilisational connect, spiritual bonds and deep-rooted people-to-people ties that have shaped the special and unique relationship between India and Mauritius, an official statement said. Modi will later will travel to Dehradun and undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas in Uttarakhand. He will chair a high-level review meeting with officials, it said. Ramgoolam, who reached Mumbai on Tuesday, will be in India till September 16. During their bilateral discussions, Modi and Ramgoolam will review the full spectrum of cooperation, with particular focus on development partnership and capacity building, the statement said. They will also discuss opportunities for expanding collaboration in health, education, science and technolog