The Railways announced 89 special trains across all zones to be operated in the next three days starting Saturday to help people facing travel disruptions due to the mass flight cancellations by IndiGo. In a coordinated move by the Railway Ministry, the trains, which are to make over 100 trips, were arranged in the shortest possible time after analysis of train traffic situations in major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, and Howrah, among others. “The number of special trains and their trips might increase further depending on the traffic scenario. All zones have been asked to make use of all available resources, including rolling stock as well as manpower, to safely operate these trains for the convenience of lakhs of passengers stranded at different parts of the country due to flight cancellations,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information & Publicity, Railway Board. Officials said efforts are being made to make people aware about the trains, and some divisions have even disseminated information at nearby airports to help passengers. South Eastern Railway has issued a press release and informed the Airport Authority to display information regarding the newly introduced special train services. “Western Railway will run seven special trains on a special fare between Mumbai Central-New Delhi, Mumbai Central-Bhiwani, Mumbai Central-Shakur Basti, Bandra Terminus-Durgapura, Valsad-Bilaspur, Sabarmati-Delhi and Sabarmati-Delhi Sarai Rohilla stations,” a press note said. Similarly, South Central Railway on Saturday announced that it would run four special trains to manage the surge in passengers resulting from the large-scale cancellation of IndiGo flights. Central Railway and Northern Railway have planned 14 and 10 special trains respectively, and officials said these numbers are being further reviewed to meet any rising requirements. Other zones have also issued notifications regarding special trains along with their schedules. For at least five days in a row, IndiGo flight operations have significantly disrupted, with a large number of cancellations and delays causing hardships to thousands of passengers. In many cases, baggages have been misplaced.

The UK government has imposed sanctions on a British Sikh businessman and a group linked to him in the first use of its new Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime aimed at cutting off funding to the pro-Khalistan militant outfit Babbar Khalsa.Gurpreet Singh Rehal, associated with the Panjab Warriors sports investment firm, has been hit with an asset freeze and a director disqualification after being suspected of ties to organisations involved in terrorism in India, the UK Treasury said on Thursday.The Treasury said it believes Rehal is involved in the activities of Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar, including promoting and encouraging the groups, recruiting for them, providing financial services, and supporting their operations, which allegedly include purchasing weapons and other military equipment.“This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism – wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred,” Lucy Rigby, UK’s economic secretary, as cited by PTI. “We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain’s financial system,” she added. The sanctions prohibit all UK individuals and entities from handling any funds or assets linked to Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar, and from providing them with financial services or support. The restrictions also apply to any organisations they own or control, unless permitted by an HM Treasury licence or other approved exemption.“Rehal is also subject to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or directly or indirectly taking part in or being concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a company,” the Treasury said, as cited by PTI.The sanctions imposed on Rehal also cover entities linked to him, including his organisations Saving Punjab, Whitehawk Consultations Ltd, and the unincorporated group/association Loha Designs.This week’s action follows close coordination between the Treasury and law enforcement agencies, highlighting what the UK government described as its commitment to safeguarding national security and protecting communities affected by terrorism.Under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, HM Treasury has the authority to freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism, a measure intended to prevent terrorist financing and shield the UK’s financial system from abuse.Breaching these sanctions can result in penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment on indictment, or civil fines of up to £1 million or 50 per cent of the breach value, whichever is higher.The Treasury said Babbar Khalsa, which also operates under the name Babbar Khalsa International, is a proscribed terrorist organisation, and its assessment classifies Babbar Akali Lehar as an “involved person” under the regulations.“Babbar Khalsa (which also uses the name Babbar Khalsa International) is a proscribed terrorist organisation. HM Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an “involved person” under the regulations,” said the UK government.

Twelve labourers from Pilibhit, reportedly stranded and facing harassment in Kyrgyzstan, are at the centre of a detailed report submitted by the district administration to the Uttar Pradesh Home Department, officials said on Friday.District magistrate Gyanendra Singh stated that the report was prepared following a directive from the Home Department, which had asked for factual details and instructed the Superintendent of Police to conduct an inquiry.“Information about all 12 persons stranded in Kyrgyzstan has been compiled and sent to the government so that the due process can be initiated for their safe return,” Singh was quoted as saying by PTI. The families identified the workers as Ravi Kumar, Ajay, Chandrapal, Santram, Rohit, Ramesh, Harswaroop, Shyamcharan, Sanjeev, Prempal, Ramasare, and Harishankar, saying they were sent to Kyrgyzstan nearly three months ago by agents of a local recruitment agency. Each worker reportedly paid around Rs 2.5 lakh and was sent on a 59-day visa under “misleading contracts,” relatives claimed.The families alleged that the men are being forced to work in different cities, denied adequate food, and prevented from returning home. They further claimed the workers were being beaten and treated “worse than animals.” Families of the stranded labourers have alleged that the men are being tortured abroad, and that local agents are demanding up to Rs 2 lakh for their return. The workers have also been sending video messages to their families, pleading for rescue.Relatives have repeatedly approached police and administrative officials for assistance. Earlier this week, several family members met with Singh and superintendent of police Abhishek Yadav to recount the ordeal.Officials stated that all 12 workers want to return to India as soon as possible, and their video appeals have been included in the ongoing investigation. According to the district magistrate, the administration’s report will assist the state government in taking steps to facilitate their repatriation, PTI. SP Abhishek Yadav confirmed that the case has been assigned to CO City Deepak Chaturvedi for investigation. He said the families have submitted written complaints alleging that a local firm operating from a city colony, along with its representatives, played a role in sending the workers abroad on false promises.

NEW DELHI: IndiGo’s flight chaos deepened on Saturday, with the airline scrapping more than 400 flights across four major airports, even after it secured temporary relief from the new court-ordered pilot duty and rest rules just a day earlier, PTI news agency quoted sources.Of these cancellations, Bengaluru airport accounted for 124 flights—63 departures and 61 arrivals—while Mumbai saw 109 cancellations, including 51 departures and 58 arrivals. Delhi airport reported 106 cancellations, with 54 departures and 52 arrivals affected. In Hyderabad, IndiGo cancelled 66 flights, the PTI sources added.

The disruptions, which began earlier this week, have continued due to pilot-rostering problems, leading to widespread cancellations across the country.

‘No opportunistic pricing’: Centre caps fares

The ministry issued statement, “Ministry of civil aviation has taken serious note of concerns regarding unusually high airfares being charged by certain airlines during the ongoing disruption. In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes.An official directive has been issued to all airlines mandating strict adherence to the fare caps that have now been prescribed. These caps will remain in force until the situation fully stabilises. The objective of this directive is to maintain pricing discipline in the market, prevent any exploitation of passengers in distress, and ensure that citizens who urgently need to travel — including senior citizens, students, and patients — are not subjected to financial hardship during this period.“

Delhi, Mumbai see over 200 flight cancellations

More than 200 flights were cancelled on Saturday from just two major cities—Delhi and Mumbai—a day after airlines received temporary relaxations in the second phase of the court-mandated flight duty and rest rules for pilots, sources said.According to officials, Mumbai saw 109 IndiGo cancellations, including 51 arrivals and 58 departures. At Delhi airport, 106 IndiGo flights were cancelled, with 54 departures and 52 arrivals affected.

‘This thing shouldn’t be left unattended’: Ram Mohan Naidu

Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday said that the government will not ignore the massive disruptions faced by IndiGo airlines, stressing that “this thing shouldn’t be left unattended”.He said a committee has been formed to investigate the issue and necessary action will be taken against those responsible.Speaking about the situation, the minister said, “The immediate priority for us is to bring back normalcy and provide all the support to the passengers.”He also added that the ministry is closely monitoring all operational aspects. “We are deeply observing this, and observing the FDTL norms, scheduling network. We will thoroughly look into this and ensure that all airlines follow due diligence.”The minister further confirmed that a formal probe has been launched. “We have formed a committee which will inquire into all this so that they can establish where things went wrong and who did it wrong. We are going to take necessary action on that also. This thing shouldn’t be left unattended. We are taking strict action on this, so that whoever was responsible into this needs to pay for it.”

Widespread cancellations across major cities

On Saturday morning, Thiruvananthapuram airport reported six cancellations — three arrivals and three departures. In Ahmedabad, seven arrivals and 12 departures were cancelled.At Mumbai airport, passengers remained stranded as IndiGo struggled to stabilise operations. Long queues were also seen at Chennai airport, where several flights were cancelled.14 arrivals and 28 departures of IndiGo cancelled at Pune Airport on Saturday.

IndiGo cancels over 1,000 flights

IndiGo, which usually handles about two-thirds of India’s domestic air traffic and operates around 2,300 flights daily, cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Friday alone as crew shortages continued.

DGCA steps in with emergency measures

Aviation regulator DGCA issued new orders on Friday to help stabilise the situation. The authority granted exemptions in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and other relaxations so IndiGo can deploy more pilots and reduce delays.The DGCA said the exemptions were aimed at restoring normal operations “at the earliest.”

‘We are sorry’: IndiGo

The airline apologised on X, saying it would automatically process refunds and provide full waivers for cancellations or rescheduling for travel between December 5 and December 15, 2025.The airline added, “Kindly check the flight status on our website and the notifications sent to you. Please do not come to the airport if your flight is cancelled…”IndiGo assured passengers of multiple support measures, stating, “We will ensure that all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment. Full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests for bookings between December 5-15, 2025.”“Thousands of hotel rooms and surface transport arranged for stranded customers. Food and snacks being provided at airports. Lounge access being arranged for senior citizens wherever possible. The airline requested passengers to avoid travelling to the airport if their flight is cancelled and advised them to use its website and AI assistant for updates, refunds and rebookings,” the Airline said.IndiGo added that it has significantly expanded its contact centre capacity to reduce wait times, stating, “We want you to know that you will see incremental progress. We will do everything to earn back your trust… We can’t lose it at any cost.”

Operations slowly returning to normal

Delhi airport released a statement saying operations were improving: “We are glad to update that IndiGo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief disruption. Please check the status of your booking and flight before leaving from home…”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (PTI photo)

New Delhi: India and Russia on Friday vowed to scale up bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, with PM Narendra Modi saying the target could be ach-ieved “well ahead of schedule”.“Considering the tremendous potential in our partnership, I am confident that we will achieve this target well ahead of schedule. We are making rapid progress towards this goal,” Modi said, recalling the target of $100 billion that he and President Vladimir Putin had set last year. The two leaders were speaking at the India-Russia Business Forum.Modi said India and Russia could jointly drive growth in the Global South with India’s leadership in affordable EVs, two-wheelers and CNG mobility and Russia’s strength in advanced materials, and could collaborate in vaccine development, cancer therapy and automotive components.The PM said both countries were “actively working” towards the early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union – comprising Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.Putin said Moscow wanted to deepen cooperation across security, economy, trade and culture. “What we want is the development of our multi-faceted relations with India in various fields,” he said. Russian companies, he added, were ready to “increase manifold” their purchases of Indian goods and services.He stressed that free trade would require resilient payment systems and insurance mechanisms, an issue that has complicated settlements since financial sanctions on Russia. Putin said Russia was looking to expand energy cooperation with India and ready to ensure uninterrupted fuel shipments. Moscow, he said, was open to joint work on small modular reactors and even floating nuclear power plants. He also wanted to enhance industrial cooperation with a focus on new technologies such as AI.The first round of talks on FTA between India and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union began last week. India wants to increase the composition of products in its trade basket with Russia as India exported goods worth $4.9 billion to Russia in 2024-25, while importing goods worth $63.8 billion, primarily crude oil and petroleum products, with a trade imbalance of $59 billion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented an array of culturally significant gifts to Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the enduring friendship between New Delhi and Moscow.The gifts, ranging from Assam Black Tea to a Russian translation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, highlighted India’s rich heritage, artisanal craftsmanship and shared cultural values, reflecting the warmth of India–Russia diplomatic ties.Putin’s ongoing two-day state visit to India focuses on deepening bilateral relations, advancing strategic partnerships, and promoting cultural and economic cooperation between the nations.

Fine Assam black tea

Prime Minister Modi gifted Putin Assam Black Tea, grown in the fertile Brahmaputra plains. Prized for its robust malty flavour and bright liquor, the tea is a symbol of India’s cultural legacy and offers potential health benefits. Recognised with a GI tag in 2007, it represents the craftsmanship and tradition of Assam’s tea growers.

Ornate silver tea set

The Murshidabad silver tea set, crafted with intricate engravings, reflects West Bengal’s rich artistry. Celebrating the ritual of tea, a shared symbol of warmth in both India and Russia, the gift underscores friendship and connection between the two countries.

Silver horse

A handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, adorned with fine detailing, symbolises dignity, valour and the enduring India–Russia partnership. Its poised, forward-moving stance reflects the mutual respect and advancing collaboration between the nations.

Marble chess set

Putin was also presented with a marble chess set from Agra, featuring inlaid motifs, contrasting stone chessmen and floral designs, highlighting North India’s stone inlay heritage under the ODOP initiative. The set combines craftsmanship with functionality, offering both aesthetic and cultural value.

Kashmiri saffron

Kashmir’s prized saffron, locally known as Kong or Zaffran, was gifted to Putin, representing the region’s heritage, traditional hand-harvesting and economic importance for local farmers. Celebrated for its rich aroma, colour and health benefits, the saffron reflects India’s natural and cultural wealth.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Russian Translation)

The spiritual text, part of the Mahabharata, offers Krishna’s guidance on duty, the soul and spiritual liberation. The Russian translation allows global readers, including Putin, to appreciate its timeless wisdom on ethical living and inner peace.During the two-day visit, Putin held talks with Prime Minister Modi and other officials, with discussions covering strategic, economic and cultural cooperation.The exchange of gifts complements the diplomatic agenda, highlighting shared history, mutual respect and long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.