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IPL 2026: Who is Ananya Birla? Meet the sister of RCB’s new chairman
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IPL 2026: Who is Ananya Birla? Meet the sister of RCB’s new chairman


Amid major changes in ownership at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one name that has quickly grabbed attention ahead of IPL 2026 is Ananya Birla. The entrepreneur and singer is the sister of newly appointed RCB chairman Aryaman Vikram Birla and has become a talking point among fans following the franchise’s high-profile takeover.

With the Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquiring RCB in a massive $1.78 billion (around ₹16,700 crore) deal, the Birla family’s entry into IPL ownership has brought fresh spotlight not just on Aryaman, but also on Ananya and her growing presence around the team.

A new era begins at RCB with Birla family involvement

The acquisition of RCB marks a significant shift in the franchise’s journey, with ownership moving into the hands of one of India’s biggest business houses led by Kumar Mangalam Birla. The deal includes both the men’s IPL team and the Women’s Premier League side, highlighting the expanding business scope of franchise cricket.

As Aryaman steps in as chairman, the involvement of the Birla family has added a new layer of interest around RCB, with fans closely watching the off-field developments as much as the on-field action.

Who is Ananya Birla?

Ananya Birla

Ananya Birla, born in 1994 in Mumbai, is a well-known entrepreneur, singer, and philanthropist. She completed her schooling at the American School of Bombay before pursuing economics and management at the University of Oxford.

Despite coming from one of India’s most influential business families, Ananya carved her own path early on, building a strong identity as an independent businesswoman and creative professional.

Also READ: IPL 2026: SRH coach Daniel Vettori shares big update on Pat Cummins ahead of RCB clash

Entrepreneurial journey and business ventures

Ananya’s entrepreneurial journey

Ananya’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 17 when she founded Svatantra Microfin, a company focused on providing financial support to rural women. The initiative aimed at promoting financial inclusion and empowering underserved communities.

Over the years, she has expanded her business footprint with ventures like Ikai Asai, a luxury e-commerce platform. In addition, she holds positions on the boards of major companies such as Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, showcasing her strong presence in the corporate world.

Her estimated net worth, ranging between ₹1,000 crore and ₹1,770 crore, reflects her success across multiple industries.

A global music career and mental health advocacy

Ananya Birla

Apart from business, Ananya has made a name for herself in the global music industry. She became the first Indian artist to achieve platinum status for an English-language single, with her songs garnering millions of streams worldwide.

She is also actively involved in mental health awareness through the Mpower initiative, advocating for open conversations and support systems around mental well-being. This aspect of her work has added depth to her public image beyond business and entertainment.

Growing presence around RCB sparks fan interest

Ananya Birla

Although Ananya is not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she has been named a principal partner of the franchise. Her association, combined with her brother’s leadership role, has brought her into the IPL spotlight.

Recently, she was seen at an IPL 2026 promotional event where Shubman Gill gifted her a signed jersey, a moment that quickly went viral on social media and sparked widespread discussion among fans.

Many have even compared her potential visibility with other prominent faces associated with IPL teams, raising curiosity about whether she will become a regular presence supporting RCB in the stands.

Also READ: RCB coach shares fresh update on Josh Hazlewood after his arrival at IPL 2026 camp



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India opposes China-led IFD pact’s inclusion; flags risks to WTO framework and core principles
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India opposes China-led IFD pact’s inclusion; flags risks to WTO framework and core principles


India opposes China-led IFD pact’s inclusion; flags risks to WTO framework and core principles

India on Saturday said it has strongly opposed the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement being incorporated into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework, flagging concerns over its systemic implications, PTI reported.The issue was raised at the ongoing 14th ministerial conference (MC14) of the WTO in Yaounde, Cameroon, where Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said such a move could weaken the institution’s foundational structure.“Incorporation of the IFD agreement risks eroding the functional limits of the WTO and undermining its foundational principles,” Goyal said in a social media post.“At #WTOMC14, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi ji’s philosophy of Truth prevailing over conformity, India showed the courage to stand alone on the contentious issue of the IFD Agreement and did not agree to its incorporation into the WTO framework as an Annex 4 Agreement,” he said.Annex 4 of the WTO Agreement contains Plurilateral Trade Agreements that are binding only on members that have accepted them, unlike multilateral agreements which apply to all members.Goyal said that as part of WTO reform discussions, members are deliberating on guardrails and legal safeguards for plurilateral agreements before integrating any such outcomes into the framework.“In view of the systemic issue at hand, India showed openness to have good faith, comprehensive discussions and constructive engagement under the WTO Reform Agenda,” he added.India had also opposed the pact during the WTO’s 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi.The Investment Facilitation for Development proposal was first mooted in 2017 by China and a group of countries that rely significantly on Chinese investments, including those with sovereign wealth funds. The agreement, if adopted, would be binding only on signatory members.



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BMC may conduct pilot project on tongue swabs to detect TB | Mumbai News
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BMC may conduct pilot project on tongue swabs to detect TB | Mumbai News


Mumbai: A month after the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that countries with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) could try certain new, speedier and easier tests, there are indications that the BMC may conduct a pilot project to check the efficacy of one of these recommendations: tongue swabs.Tongue swabs entail using a swab to collect saliva/fluid from the tongue. Contrast this with the usual TB test that entails coughing out mucus (sputum) from deep inside the lungs. “Collecting tongue swabs would be easier for some patients, especially children,” said BMC executive health officer Dr Daksha Shah.While it’s early days yet for such a pilot project, Dr Shah said the BMC has always been interested in newer methods to improve TB detection. A few years back, the BMC was the first civic corporation to carry out a pilot project to check the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting TB in X-ray scans.Mumbai is one of the high-density TB hubs in the world, with the emergence of extremely difficult-to-treat drug-resistance cases emerging in the city in 2011-12. The National TB programme rolled out a special TB plan for Mumbai, fast-tracking new tests and medicines. While 65,435 TB cases were registered in Mumbai in 2022, the numbers dropped to 54,390 TB patients; 8% of them had drug-resistant TB.On Feb 26, the WHO recommended new near-point-of-care (NPOC) molecular tests for the diagnosis of TB; easy-to-collect tongue swab samples to simplify and expand access to testing.Canada-based epidemiologist and public health expert Dr Madhukar Pai told TOI: “This new WHO policy is a big deal in the world of TB. For the first time, it has approved a near point-of-care molecular test that can be used at the primary care level, and also with a tongue swab since many people are unable to produce a sputum.”Dr Pai said this new test is available via Global Drug Facility at $3.5 per test and is “far more affordable than any molecular test so far”. He added that two companies, Huwel and Molbio from India, have products that fit into this category.When contacted, Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics president Shiva Sriram said his company’s technology, the Truenat platform, which is deployed in primary health centres across the country, is already designed to accommodate multiple sample types, including tongue swabs.However, he said tongue swab-based testing is still an emerging approach with limited field data. “As programmatic adoption increases, it is expected to generate stronger evidence and inform scaled implementation,” he said.



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Virat Kohli drops sitter vs SRH, Anushka Sharma’s reaction goes viral – Watch | Cricket News
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Virat Kohli drops sitter vs SRH, Anushka Sharma’s reaction goes viral – Watch | Cricket News


Virat Kohli drops sitter vs SRH, Anushka Sharma's reaction goes viral - Watch
RCB player Virat Kohli drops a catch (ANI Photo)

Virat Kohli dropped a straightforward catch during the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, but later made amends by taking the same batter’s catch.The drop came in the 18th over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar when SRH batter Aniket Verma mistimed a shot. Kohli ran in from long-on but the ball slipped through his hands and brushed his thigh before falling. Kohli appeared surprised, while in the stands, actor and Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma reacted with laughter. Kohli later completed a catch to dismiss Aniket.In the match, SRH stand-in captain Ishan Kishan scored 80 off 38 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 201 for nine. His innings included eight fours and five sixes, and he shared a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen, who made 31.

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RCB’s big changes ahead of IPL: New rules, tribute & squad update

RCB captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first on a pitch that had not hosted top-level cricket for nearly 10 months. The decision appeared justified as Jacob Duffy returned figures of 3 for 22 in four overs. The pacer used bounce effectively, troubling the top order.Abhishek Sharma struggled to score freely and was dismissed for 7 after attempting a pull shot. RCB had earlier reviewed an appeal for caught behind against him in the first over, but it did not succeed.Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy also fell attempting pull shots against Duffy as SRH slipped to 29 for three in 4.2 overs. They reached 49 for three at the end of the Power Play.Kishan countered the early setbacks, reaching his half-century in 27 balls with a boundary off Suyash Sharma. He attacked Abhinandan Singh with a sequence of 6, 4, 6 and later hit two sixes in an over off Krunal Pandya.He moved to 80 with a shot over third man off Abhinandan, but was dismissed soon after, caught by Phil Salt near deep backward point.His wicket slowed SRH in the final overs. Aniket Verma made 43 off 19 balls after being dropped by Kohli on 26, but the team added only 59 runs in the last five overs.In reply, defending champions RCB completed the chase in just 15.4 overs. Devdutt Padikkal smashed 61 off 26 balls, Kohli contributed an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, and Rajat Patidar added 31 off 12 balls as RCB won by six wickets.



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Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman, dies at 87 in Mumbai
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Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman, dies at 87 in Mumbai


Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman, dies at 87 in Mumbai

Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman, Padma Bhushan awardee and noted aviator, has passed away.He died in Mumbai at the age of 87.His son Gautam Singhania, chairman and managing director of the Raymond Group, announced the death on microblogging platform X.A company spokesperson said Singhania passed away “peacefully” and his last rites will be performed on Sunday, reported PTI.A recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Vijaypat Singhania was known not only for his leadership at Raymond but also for his passion for aviation. He held a world record for achieving the highest altitude in a hot air balloon.He led Raymond as chairman for around two decades until 2000, after which he handed over the reins of the company to Gautam Singhania. He had also transferred his entire 37 per cent stake in the company to his son.Vijaypat Singhania and Gautam Singhania were later involved in legal disputes, which were subsequently resolved.



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‘No change in fuel prices in Mumbai despite 10/l cut in excise duty’ | Mumbai News
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‘No change in fuel prices in Mumbai despite 10/l cut in excise duty’ | Mumbai News


Mumbai: The Centre’s Rs 10 per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel is unlikely to bring immediate relief to consumers, as the benefit appears to have been absorbed by oil marketing companies, said experts. Retail fuel prices in cities like Mumbai have remained unchanged.Industry data shows even as central excise duty was reduced, the base depot price of petrol was simultaneously increased by Rs 10 per litre, effectively neutralising the tax cut. As a result, petrol continues to retail at around Rs 103.45 per litre in Mumbai.

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Big Fuel Tax Cut By Centre, But No Price Relief: Why Petrol And Diesel Still Cost The Same In India

Experts said the excise duty structure comprises four components, and the latest reduction applies only to the special additional excise duty. The other three—basic excise duty, agriculture infrastructure and development cess, and road and infrastructure cess— remain unchanged.Following the revision effective March 27, total excise duty on petrol has reduced from Rs 21.90 to Rs 11.90 per litre and on diesel from Rs 17.80 to Rs 7.80 per litre. However, claims that excise duty on diesel has been reduced to zero are misleading as multiple components of the levy continue to be charged. “The reduction is largely an internal adjustment to cushion oil companies against higher crude costs. There is no certainty that the benefit will be passed on to consumers,” said city-based petroleum dealer and pricing expert Kedar Chandak.While the central tax component has declined, state taxes such as VAT and cess are unchanged. In Mumbai, these levies continue at Rs 23.98 per litre while dealer commissions are steady at Rs 4.01. Consequently, the tax burden has reduced from Rs 45.88 to Rs 35.88 per litre, but without impacting the retail price.



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MI head coach confirms: ‘Bumrah is back with the squad’ and ready for first game vs KKR | Cricket News
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MI head coach confirms: ‘Bumrah is back with the squad’ and ready for first game vs KKR | Cricket News


MI head coach confirms: 'Bumrah is back with the squad' and ready for first game vs KKR
Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Mumbai: Ahead of their first match in IPL-2026 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night, the Mumbai Indians had a huge reason to cheer, but also some cause for slight concern.At the pre-match press conference at Wankhede, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that world cricket’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah had joined their camp after returning from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.“Jassi is back with the squad; he is available to play,” the former Sri Lankan captain said. However, Mahela revealed that New Zealand left-arm spinner and T20 captain Mitchell Santner and English allrounder Will Jacks had sought an “extended break” from MI, which they were granted.“With the guys who are joining, obviously Mitch and Jacksey (Will Jacks) asked for a slightly extended time for personal reasons, and we were quite happy to go with that. But they’ll join the team pretty soon,” the head coach informed. Bumrah, Jacks, and Santner were the notable absentees from MI’s mandatory training session held two days before their first match at the Wankhede Stadium. After the T20 World Cup final loss against India on March 8, Santner captained New Zealand for the first three T20Is against South Africa at home and was given a break for the last two. Jacks, meanwhile, was part of the England squad that lost to India in the semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium and had departed India on a chartered flight shortly after. It is yet to be confirmed whether either Santner or Jacks has arrived in India. Both players are crucial overseas options for MI.Bumrah was at the CoE for the past five days, but those tracking developments insisted that it wasn’t due to any injury, but a routine visit aimed at monitoring his workload. With 14 wickets in eight matches at 12.42 and an economy rate of 6.21, a best haul of four for 15 in the final against New Zealand, and some ultra-crucial spells at the death during the business end of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Bumrah stamped his class in the tournament. MI will want the ‘king of fast bowlers’ to hit his strides early in IPL-2026.Let’s hope MI’s shocking first game record continues: WatsonMeanwhile, perennial slow starters MI would be itching to end their jinx of losing the first match of the IPL every year when they take on KKR in their IPL season opener, while KKR’s new assistant coach Shane Watson hoped to capitalise on MI’s habitual tendency to stumble at the start of the season.“Well, let’s hope that shocking record that MI have in the first game continues. Obviously, we’re playing here at the Wankhede Stadium… it’s a fortress. The Mumbai Indians are very hard to beat here. I’ve experienced this from a playing perspective and a coaching perspective, so you know we’re certainly going to have to be at our very best against MI. They’re always stacked with match-winners across the board, so let’s hope that poor record to start the tournament continues,” Watson said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.Refreshed after enjoying an “extended break,” as Mahela put it, MI’s 2026 T20 World Cup heroes Bumrah, India’s T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav, star allrounder and MI captain Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma will be raring to go.MI will want Suryakumar—the 35-year-old batter who managed to score just 242 runs in nine matches at 30.25 with a strike rate of 136.72 and was out for a duck in the final—to rediscover his touch and repeat the consistency he displayed in IPL-2025, when he scored 717 runs in 16 matches at 65.18, with a strike rate of 167.91, including five fifties.The five-time champions will also be pleased with the way their former captain and modern-day great Rohit Sharma is tuning up for the championship. Aiming to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup in October-November next year, the 38-year-old will be fully aware of how closely his performances will be tracked during IPL-2026. In fact, with Rohit having improved his fitness drastically in the past year, it doesn’t seem that MI will use the veteran batsman as an ‘Impact Player’ who will just bat and rest in the dugout for the rest of the match.Asked if Rohit’s lack of T20 game time—he hasn’t played a T20 match for 10 months, since featuring in the second qualifier against Punjab Kings on June 1 last year—was an issue, Mahela praised the veteran batter. “There’s a transformation in Rohit. I’ve seen the commitment on his part. He’s been training his skills for a longer period of time. That is what is in his control, what he can do, and I’m pretty satisfied with what I’ve seen in the practice games and in the nets. The hand speed, the technique, everything. And then on top of that, he has his experience as well, playing 18 years of IPL on top of that. So I have no issues with that. But it’s a game of cricket. We have to understand that and then play along with that,” complimented the MI head coach.It remains to be seen who among the two South African left-handers will open with Rohit—seasoned bat Quinton de Kock or Ryan Rickelton.



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Big boost for Army: Adani Defence delivers first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns | India News
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Big boost for Army: Adani Defence delivers first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns | India News


Big boost for Army: Adani Defence delivers first batch of 2,000 'Prahar' light machine guns

Adani Defence & Aerospace on Saturday handed over the first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahar’ light machine guns (LMGs) to the Indian Army in Gwalior, marking an early milestone in a large-scale order for around 40,000 weapons under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The handover aims to boost the Army’s frontline firepower along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).The consignment was dispatched from the company’s small arms manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Gwalior, almost 11 months ahead of schedule.The formal flag-off was conducted by A Anbarasu, Director General (Acquisition) at the Ministry of Defence, who commended the project’s timely completion.“The journey that has begun today took us six years, starting from bid submission, and we have delivered the first batch 11 months ahead of schedule,” he said while flagging off the first shipment.Prahar LMG: Key specificationsThe Prahar LMG is a 7.62 mm-calibre weapon with an effective range of 1,000 metres.

  • Weight: 8 kg
  • Barrel length: 508 mm
  • Indigenous content: Over 90% of components sourced domestically
  • Designed for high-efficiency use in high-tension deployment zones, the weapon is expected to enhance operational capabilities across critical fronts.

Scaling up production

Adani Defence is set to ramp up production to about 1,000 LMGs per month starting April 2026, targeting completion of the full order within three years — well ahead of the original seven-year timeline.CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said the project represents more than just a contract:“The original timeline was over seven years, but I can assure you that in the next three years, the full order will be delivered.”Rajvanshi added that the programme underscores Adani’s transformation into a full-scale Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for small arms.“It has taken us six years to reach this point… With the perseverance of the team and policy support, we have moved from a component manufacturer to a full gun OEM.”The 100-acre Gwalior facility integrates:

  • CNC machining and robotics
  • Advanced metallurgy and testing systems
  • Annual capacity of 100,000 firearms and 300 million rounds of small-calibre ammunition

Expanding capabilities and future plans

The company’s vision extends beyond the Prahar project toward developing a comprehensive ecosystem for indigenous small arms in India. Future production lines will include assault rifles, sniper systems, carbines, pistols, and close-quarter battle (CQB) weapons.Positioned as a key node in India’s evolving defence manufacturing landscape, the Gwalior plant is expected to serve both domestic and export markets, supporting the government’s broader goals of self-reliance under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.



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Massive blaze at Kuwait airport after Iran drone strike, fuel tanks hit
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Massive blaze at Kuwait airport after Iran drone strike, fuel tanks hit



A massive blaze erupted at Kuwait’s main airport after a suspected Iranian drone strike hit fuel storage facilities, triggering hours of emergency operations and raising fresh fears of escalation across the Gulf.Officials confirmed that the fire broke out at fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport following the attack. Dramatic visuals circulating online showed thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky as firefighters battled the flames through the night.

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Iranian Missile Strikes Eshtaol Near Jerusalem, Causes Structural Damage, Injuries | Watch

Kuwait’s fire department said the blaze has now been fully extinguished after nearly 58 hours of continuous efforts. Despite the scale of the fire and damage to critical infrastructure, authorities reported no casualties.The country’s Civil Aviation Authority said multiple drones targeted the airport, causing “significant damage” to its radar systems. A spokesperson later blamed Iran, along with allied armed groups and proxies, for carrying out the strike.The strike on Kuwait comes as Iran expands its aerial campaign beyond Israel, targeting countries hosting US military facilities. In recent days, missiles have been launched towards Jerusalem, while attacks have also been reported in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.The broader conflict has seen intensifying exchanges across multiple fronts. Israel has carried out strikes in Iran and southern Lebanon, including one that reportedly killed journalists linked to Hezbollah-affiliated outlets. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have entered the conflict, launching missiles towards Israel in support of Tehran.Tensions have also spilled into global trade routes. Shipping operations at Oman’s Salalah port were temporarily halted after a drone strike damaged infrastructure, while several countries have raised concerns over the safety of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.



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Noida airport to start commercial flights in 45-60 days, says Aviation minister
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Noida airport to start commercial flights in 45-60 days, says Aviation minister


Noida airport to start commercial flights in 45-60 days, says Aviation minister

Commercial operations at the Noida International Airport are expected to begin within 45 to 60 days, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Saturday, indicating that the final preparatory steps are underway, reported PTI.The greenfield airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated earlier in the day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a key milestone for one of the country’s largest aviation infrastructure projects.Naidu said services would commence in the next 45 to 60 days, adding that work on the airport’s security framework is currently in progress. He also noted that IndiGo has expressed interest in operating flights from the facility.

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‘Turned Noida Into ATM For Loot’: PM Modi Blasts Akhilesh Yadav For Delay In Jewar Airport Opening

The project, located in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, is designed to initially handle 12 million passengers annually. Once all four phases are completed, the capacity is expected to scale up to 70 million passengers per year.Developed at an investment of around Rs 11,200 crore in its first phase, the airport will be operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, under a public-private partnership model. The airport code assigned to it is ‘DXN’.The infrastructure includes a 3,900-metre runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, along with modern navigation systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and advanced airfield lighting.Although passenger services were earlier slated to begin in September 2024, the rollout has been aligned with phased development. The airport received its aerodrome licence from aviation regulator DGCA earlier this month.In the initial phase, the airport will be able to handle up to 30 flights per hour and will have 28 aircraft stands. Cargo handling capacity is projected at around 2.5 lakh tonnes.Terminal 1 spans 1,37,985 square metres and includes 48 check-in counters. In addition, more than 40 acres have been allocated for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.As part of this, NIA has entered into a strategic partnership with Akasa Air to develop an MRO facility at the site.



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