NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Tuesday instructed airlines to comply with passenger facilitation norms amid the prevailing fog and low-visibility, impacting flight operations across north India.The ministry also urged passengers to check flight status and allow extra travel time.“Amid prevailing fog and low-visibility conditions impacting flights in parts of Northern India, passengers are advised to proactively check flight status, remain in contact with their airlines and allow extra travel time,” ministry said.“Airlines have been instructed to strictly comply with passenger facilitation norms, including timely flight information, meals for delayed passengers, rebooking or refunds in case of cancellations, no denial of boarding after timely check-in, baggage facilitation and prompt grievance redressal. The ministry of civil aviation remains committed to passenger safety, convenience and well-being, and continues to closely monitor the situation,” it added.118 flights cancelled, 16 divertedThis comes after 118 flights were cancelled, , 16 flights diverted and 130 services delayed at the Delhi airport on Tuesday due to low visibility.An official said 60 arrivals and 58 departures were cancelled while 16 flights were diverted at the airport.In a post on X in the morning, Delhi International Airport Ltd said all flight operations continue as normal and flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected.CAT III compliance allows pilots to operate flights in low visibility conditions.On Monday, the statutory body also announced the deployment of assistance teams at affected airports to provide support to travellers on the ground.“AAI has activated passenger facilitation measures and deployed assistance teams at affected airports to support travellers on the ground. We remain committed to ensuring passenger safety, convenience, and smooth airport operations during adverse weather conditions. Customer Support Numbers – Airlines- IndiGo: 0124 497 3838, Air India: 011 6932 9333, SpiceJet: +91 (0)124 498 3410 / +91 (0)124 710 1600, Air India Express: +91 124 443 5600 / +91 124 693 5600, Akasa Air: 9606112131, Alliance Air: 044 3511 3511, IndiaOne Air: 6358881040, Star Air: 022 5079 9555 / 9970555111, Fly91: 8668919191,” it wrote on social media post.Airlines issue advisoryAir India said that it is closely monitoring the situation and has taken “proactive steps to minimise disruptions.” It said that the Air India’s ground staff will be available at key key touchpoints in the airports to extend assistance in case of delays diversion or cancellations.“We are closely monitoring the situation and have taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions (learn more at http://bit.ly/4agYVyF). In the event of unexpected delays, diversions or cancellations resulting from fog, please rest assured that our ground teams are available at key touchpoints in the airports to extend assistance to you. We understand how frustrating such disruption to travel plans can be and are making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience,” it said in a social media post on X.“In addition, our ‘FogCare’ initiative allows passengers booked on certain flights that are likely to be affected during the fog window to receive advance alerts on their registered phone numbers, with the option to reschedule their flights without any additional payment or seek a full refund on their bookings without penalty,” it added.Dense fog shrouds DelhiDense fog blanketed Delhi early Tuesday, causing visibility to drop sharply in several areas, even as the air quality improved marginally.The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 388 on Tuesday morning, marking a marginal improvement from Monday, when the city’s air quality stood at the ‘severe’ category with a reading of 401.Data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app on Tuesday showed 16 air quality monitoring stations in the ‘severe’ category, while 21 stations recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category.The outlook for the subsequent six days indicates that air quality is likely to stay in the ‘very poor’ range.The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, with the IMD issuing an ‘orange’ alert and forecasting very dense fog during the day.

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv–New Generation (NG) completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru on Tuesday, marking a step forward in the company’s effort to reposition the Dhruv platform for the civil and export markets.Designed and manufactured by HAL, the Dhruv NG is a 5.5-tonne, light, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter upgraded to meet the requirements of the global civil aviation sector. The aircraft builds on the existing Dhruv platform, with improvements focused on safety, performance, ride quality and passenger comfort, while retaining high-altitude and hot-and-high operating capability relevant to Indian conditions.“At the heart of the helicopter are twin Shakti 1H1C engines, an indigenous powerplant that offers higher power ratings and the advantage of in-country maintenance and support,” HAL said, adding that the use of the Shakti engines strengthens self-reliance while reducing long-term operating and lifecycle costs for civilian operators.The Dhruv NG features a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements, coupled with a modern avionics and navigation suite aimed at improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. “Safety enhancements include crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks and a proven twin-engine configuration that provides redundancy during critical phases of flight,” HAL said.Ride quality has been a key focus area in the new variant, HAL said, adding that advanced vibration control systems have been incorporated to ensure smoother flight characteristics, particularly for roles such as VIP transport and emergency medical services.With a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, the helicopter has a top speed of about 285 kmph and a range of roughly 630 km with a 20-minute reserve. It offers an endurance of around three hours and 40 minutes and can operate up to a service ceiling of 6,000 metres. The internal payload capacity is about 1,000 kg.The Dhruv NG’s cabin, with a volume of 7.33 cubic metres, is designed to be reconfigured for multiple civilian roles. It can be fitted for VIP or VVIP transport with seating for four to six passengers, configured to carry up to 14 passengers in a commuter layout, or adapted for air ambulance operations with space for four stretchers, a doctor and an attendant. Other intended applications include offshore operations, law enforcement and search-and-rescue missions.HAL has positioned the Dhruv Civil NG as a cost-effective alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters. The company said it would offer a “one-stop solution” covering manufacturing, maintenance and upgrades, supported by integrated logistics models such as Power-By-Hour and performance-based logistics to ensure higher fleet availability.The maiden flight is expected to be followed by a series of certification and performance evaluation sorties as HAL prepares the helicopter for wider civilian induction.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of former Bangladesh prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, remembering her role in Bangladesh’s development and in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. “Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

He added, “Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss.” Modi noted her place in Bangladesh’s political history, saying, “As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered.”Recalling a past interaction, the PM added, “I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace.”Khaleda Zia died early Tuesday in Dhaka at the age of 80, the Daily Star reported. She had been in critical condition for months and was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Evercare Hospital. She suffered from multiple chronic ailments, including heart disease, liver and kidney complications, diabetes, lung problems, arthritis and eye-related conditions. She had a permanent pacemaker and had earlier undergone stent placement for cardiac issues. After returning from London earlier this year on May 6 following advanced medical care, she had been undergoing regular check-ups at Evercare Hospital, according to the Daily Star.

Tributes from Bangladesh leadership

Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus also expressed sorrow at her passing. “I am deeply saddened and grief-stricken by her death,” he said in a condolence message.Her death comes days after her son, Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh from London, ending 17 years of self-imposed exile, as the country prepares for elections expected in early 2026. Despite frail health, Khaleda had last month indicated she would campaign for the polls, with the BNP widely seen as a frontrunner.

A towering political figure

Khaleda Zia was the first woman to serve as Bangladesh’s prime minister. She married Ziaur Rahman in 1960; he later became president in 1977 and was assassinated in 1981. Khaleda entered active politics soon after and took over as BNP chief in 1984.She led the BNP to victory in 1991, serving as prime minister from 1991 to 1996, and again from 2001 to 2006. For decades, she remained the principal political rival of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s long-serving leader, who is currently living in exile in New Delhi after fleeing the country amid nationwide unrest in 2024.(With inputs from agencies)

NEW DELHI: The NHRC has sent a notice to the Dehradun district magistrate and the SSP over the allegedly racially charged killing of a student from Tripura in the Uttarakhand capital. The national human rights commission has directed the Dehradun authorities to investigate the allegations and has sought an action taken report within seven days.

The commission has asked for a copy of the case proceedings to be sent to the Uttarakhand chief secretary and the director general of police. “Additionally, the authorities are directed to ensure safety of the students of North Eastern region in the entire state,” it says. Anjel Chakma, 24, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was allegedly attacked by some youngsters with a knife and a bracelet on December 9. He died on December 26, after being in a hospital for 17 days. His father, a BSF jawan currently posted in Tangjeng in Manipur, alleged that his son was “brutally attacked” when he tried to defend his brother, who was called “Chinese” by the attackers. The assailants called his sons “Chinese momo” and abused him, the father of the victim told PTI over the phone. Anjel told them that he “was also Indian, not Chinese,” but they attacked him with knives and blunt objects, the father said. According to the proceedings, a bench of the NHRC, presided by its member Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognisance under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The complainant has alleged that the student from the Tripura region was brutally attacked and killed in Dehradun, in a “racially motivated incident” while studying outside his home state. According to the complaint, the person was “targeted with racial slurs and assaulted after asserting his identity as an Indian citizen”, reads the proceedings. “The incident has caused nationwide outrage and is stated to reflect deep-rooted racial discrimination against people from the North-East, failure of local authorities to prevent the violence, and lack of adequate protection mechanisms,” it adds. The complainant alleged that the incident amounts to a “serious violation” of the victim’s right to life, dignity, and equality. The complainant had sought the intervention of the NHRC in the matter and requested urgent intervention, accountability, and systemic measures to prevent such hate-based crimes, the proceedings says. The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victim, the NHRC says. “The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the DM and the SSP, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an action taken report within seven days for perusal of the Commission,” it says. On Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the father of the student and assured strict punishment for the accused. Leaders cutting across political lines called for comprehensive efforts to end “hate crimes” against the people from the northeastern states.

Dibrugarh: Ten people of Bangladeshi origin were arrested Monday for attacking police and freeing a man accused of posting pro-terrorist content online, after a planned mob assault in a village in Assam’s Lakhimpur.The assault triggered outrage as it involved “Miya” people – referred to Bengali-speaking immigrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin in Assam, a population estimated at over one crore and long central to the state’s anti-foreigner agitation of the 1980s.The arrests follow a Dec 27 attack in Bongalmora when officers tracked down Baharul Islam, wanted for social media posts supporting the Pahalgam terrorist attack.Those arrested were identified as Afazuddin, Ikramul Hussain, Fakhruddin Ahmed, Noor Hussain, Gulzar Hussain, Nazrul Haque, Kazimuddin, Md Abdul Hamid, Bilal Hussain and Atabur Rahman. Several have prior records, police said.“After the Pahalgam attack, several people posted on social media supporting the act. One such person was Baharul Islam, who used a fake account,” Lakhimpur SSP Gunendra Deka said.Islam had been on the run since a case was filed earlier this year. Acting on intelligence, a team traced him to Sonapur area of Bongalmora and detained him. As officers prepared to move him, a mob of more than 10 people closed in, beat the team and pulled Islam free. “A group led by Atabur attacked the police team and freed Baharul,” Deka said, calling it “a planned assault”.SI Gokul Joyshree and the driver suffered serious wounds. A case was filed under multiple BNS sections.Islam, who was earlier held in a fake gold case, has gone underground after mob freed him. “He will be in custody soon,” Deka said, adding that more arrests are imminent.