A major tragedy was averted on Monday evening in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district when a training aircraft almost collided with a high-voltage power line during flight and crashed near Sukatra village in the Kurai police station area of Seoni district. The incident, according to police occurred at around 6:30 p.m. The incident triggered panic in the locality as villagers rushed to the spot and rescued both the trainer (pilot) and trainee safely. A video of the crash quickly went viral on social media. Speaking to IANS, C.S. Tekam, Investigation Officer at Kurai Police Station, said, "Both the trainer and trainee are out of danger. They have been taken to a private hospital. One has sustained a head injury and the other has injuries on the face. However, as company officials informed us, both managed to walk out of the plane to safety." The police officer added that the aircraft was a two-seater trainee plane, though the manufacturer's name is not yet known. The officer identified the trainer and trainee as Ajeet Anthony and Ashok Chhava, respectively. "We are waiting for instructions from higher authorities regarding the investigation,” he said, confirming that no human loss was reported despite one of the plane’s wheels getting stuck in a 33kV high-tension line, severing it from the tower before the aircraft landed on the ground. “The training company is operating in the area since 2023,” the police official said. According to eyewitnesses and preliminary investigation, the plane suddenly began to descend due to a technical glitch. “It might have lost power, and one of its wheels got entangled in the high-voltage line for a while." The heavy load severed the wire, causing a loud noise, spark and panic. "Fortunately, no major damage occurred,” the police officer explained. Locals reported sparks as the aircraft struck the wires, and within moments, villagers realised the plane’s occupants were in trouble. They rushed to the scene to help. Villagers also alleged this was not the first such incident, claiming training aircraft had overturned twice earlier while operating on the runway. They warned that had the plane remained stuck in the wires for a few more seconds, the consequences could have been devastating. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 December,2025 11:02 PM IST | Bhopal | IANSVeteran social activist Baba Adhav passed away in Pune on Monday night after a prolonged illness, his aide confirmed. He was 95 and is survived by his two sons, Asim and Amber. Adhav had been admitted to a private hospital 12 days ago after his health suddenly deteriorated. He was placed on life support during his treatment but died at 8.25 pm following cardiac arrest, his aide Nitin Pawar said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed grief over the passing of Baba Adhav, calling his death “extremely saddening”. In a post on X, Fadnavis wrote, Baba Adhav had dedicated his entire life to fighting for the rights of marginalised and unorganised workers. He recalled that Adhav played a pivotal role as a pillar of support for labourers and helped establish strong organisations for head loaders, rickshaw drivers, and construction workers. CM Fadnavis also highlighted Adhav’s significant contributions through initiatives such as Hamals’ Panchayat and the Ek Gaon, Ek Panwatha -- a significant movement against caste discrimination aimed at promoting equal access to village water resources, as well as his powerful fight against social evils. ज्येष्ठ समाजसेवक बाबा आढाव यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय दु:खद आहे.वंचित आणि असंघटित घटकांच्या हक्कांसाठी त्यांनी सातत्याने संघर्ष केला. त्यांचे आधारस्तंभ म्हणून काम केले. हमाल, रिक्षाचालक, बांधकाम मजुरांना न्याय देण्यासाठी त्यांनी संघटन उभे केले. हमाल पंचायत, एक गाव-एक पाणवठा असे… pic.twitter.com/7hPH7WCtEx — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 8, 2025 “Maharashtra has always been blessed with a rich tradition of great social reformers, and today we have lost one of its most remarkable personalities,” CM Fadnavis wrote, adding that Adhav’s thoughts and work would continue to inspire future generations. The Chief Minister offered heartfelt tributes to the late social worker and extended condolences to his family members and followers. The health of veteran social activist Baba Adhav had last week worsened, and he was in the ICU of a Pune hospital, his family had earlier said on Saturday. Leaders from various political parties, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had visited the hospital to check on the 95-year-old activist’s condition. Babasaheb Pandurang Adhav is widely regarded as a pillar of Maharashtra’s social and labour movements. One of the major landmarks of his work was the establishment of the Hamal Panchayat, through which he organised porters across Pune and the rest of Maharashtra. He also led the groundbreaking ‘Ek Gaon, Ek Panwatha’ movement, which fought against caste discrimination and promoted social equality. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the death of Baba Adhav, calling it an “irreparable loss”. In a post on X, the Congress leader described Adhav as a “strong pillar of social justice” who dedicated his entire life to fighting for the rights of the marginalised, the exploited and the working class. He said the flame of struggle ignited by Adhav in Pune became a torch for social justice movements across the country. सामाजिक न्याय के मजबूत स्तंभ और महान श्रमिक नेता बाबा आढाव जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद और एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।वंचितों, शोषितों और मजदूरों के अधिकारों के लिए उन्होंने अपना संपूर्ण जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। पुणे से उठी उनकी संघर्ष की ज्योति ने देशभर में मशाल बन कर सामाजिक न्याय… pic.twitter.com/8c1pfPmQg5 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2025
08 December,2025 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSaurabh Luthra, the co-owner of the nightclub where a fire broke out late on Decemeber 6 killing 25 people, expressed "profound grief" over the incident and vowed to provide assistance, support, and cooperation to the victims' families in "every possible form", news agency IANS reported. Luthra made the announcement in a post on social media on Monday. The post comes at a time when police teams have been sent from Goa to Delhi to arrest the management of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' club, located in North Goa's Arpora area, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji. The victims comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. The five injured were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), PTI reported. Saurabh Luthra has been named in the FIR in connection with the incident along with co-owner Gaurav Luthra. "The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch," Saurabh Luthra's Instagram post read. He further noted that the management had affirmed that it shall extend every possible "form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity", IANS reported. The police investigations have so far indicated multiple irregularities at the entertainment venue, including the absence of a 'no-objection certificate' from the fire department and the issuance of a licence without proper documentation. As per reports, the police may also issue a lookout circular against all the accused in the case as a precautionary measure. Fire officials, while briefing about the incident, had said that earlier the club, located on the backwaters of the Arpora River, had small exit doors connected only by a narrow bridge, which severely hampered the escape of people during the blaze. While the club's Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, and Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur were arrested, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that a police team had left for Delhi to nab the other accused. (With inputs from IANS)
08 December,2025 09:04 PM IST | Goa | mid-day online correspondentPunjab Congress leader Navjot Singh’s namesake wife was on Monday suspended from the primary membership of the party for the “Rs 500 crore CM” remark. His wife and Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu claimed that it “costs Rs 500 crore to become Punjab CM”. She was placed under suspension by PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Her remark, made while asserting that her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would return to active politics only if the Congress declared him its CM face, has triggered sharp political backlash. Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, Kaur said they “speak only for Punjab”, but lack the kind of money she alleges influences top political appointments. “We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief minister's chair," she said, adding no one had demanded money from them, but “the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM”. On former Punjab MLA Kaur’s statement, Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa said, “When she joined Congress from the BJP, she was later promoted to minister. First, she mentioned how much money was given to become the number two minister, next in line after the Chief Minister. After that, she was made PCC President, and again, how much money was given.” Joining the issue, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the BJP leadership and challenged them to respond immediately to serious allegations of corruption levelled by Navjot Kaur and Sunil Jakhar, respectively. Cheema told the media here: “I challenge the high command of the Congress and the high command of the BJP: Why are you silent? Are you silent because you are complicit in this corruption? I challenge the Congress and the BJP high commands to answer within 24 hours.” Minister Cheema questioned the silence of both the high commands regarding leaders who have switched allegiance but whose past actions and statements expose deep-rooted corruption. He recalled that the current Punjab BJP President, who was formerly the Punjab Congress President, served while two Chief Ministers -- Amarinder Singh (allegedly became CM for Rs 500 crore, according to Navjot Kaur) and Charanjit Singh Channi (allegedly became CM following a Rs 350 crore deal, as claimed by Sunil Jakhar) were in power. The Minister questioned why Jakhar remained silent while he was in the Congress, witnessing the selling of ministerial posts and Assembly seats, and only spoke up after joining the BJP. He also pointed out the case of Channi’s relative from whom nearly Rs 10 crore was recovered, a matter that is sub-judice. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 December,2025 08:55 PM IST | Chandigarh | IANSChaos in Indian aviation continued on Monday as IndiGo Airlines struggled to operate smoothly, with passengers at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) facing disruption due to 112 flight cancellations, news agency IANS reported. This was the seventh consecutive day on which Indigo’s services remained disrupted. The cancellations on Monday include 58 arrivals and 54 departures. With no signs of normalcy returning to IndiGo’s operations at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, thousands of passengers continue to suffer. For the fifth consecutive day, the number of cancellations was over 100, IANS reported. More than 600 flights have been cancelled at RGIA since December 2. Furthermore, as many as 126 flights were cancelled on Sunday (December 7), while 144 flights were cancelled the day before that. While hundreds of passengers were stranded due to cancellations, some grew frustrated and were seen making enquiries aggressively, expressing their distress over the airline’s disruptions, IANS reported. To keep the situation under control, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) stepped up security at the airport as a precautionary measure. Also, the cancellations on key domestic routes severely disrupted the travel plans of the passengers for the seventh consecutive day. Cancellation of departures and arrivals on key domestic routes such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Madurai, and Bhubaneswar severely inconvenienced passengers. On Sunday, IndiGo had announced that they had resumed operations at 137 of their 138 destinations. The airline also said that they are back on track to operate 1,650 flights for the day, compared to 1,500 flights on December 6. They further stated, “Indigo’s on-time performance had risen from 30 per cent on December 6 to 75 per cent on December 7." Indigo also announced a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling requests for bookings till December 15. The airline has attributed the crisis to the new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms. These rules, implemented in two phases from July to November, increase weekly rest of pilots to 48 hours, extend night-duty definitions, and cap night landings at two. The norms were rolled out following the Delhi High Court orders. On a request by IndiGo, aviation regulator DGCA granted temporary relaxations until February 10. (With inputs from IANS)
08 December,2025 07:27 PM IST | Hyderabad | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, will be taken up for discussion in the next session of the state legislature. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Nagpur, Fadnavis said it was significant that Vande Mataram was being debated in Parliament. “Vande Mataram is not just a song but a mantra of the Indian freedom struggle and rashtravaad (nationalism). It is that mahamantra which connected the common man of this country with the freedom struggle. It is necessary to have a discussion on it in Parliament as the national song is completing 150 years. I am very happy that this debate is going on in Parliament,” he said. वंदे मातरम् केवल एक गीत नहीं, बल्कि भारत की स्वतंत्रता और राष्ट्रवाद का मंत्र है।( नागपुर| 8-12-2025)#Maharashtra #Nagpur #vandemataram pic.twitter.com/SMVfnwUEPT — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 8, 2025 “Today, we too sang Vande Mataram in the Vidhan Sabha and paid homage. Our Speaker has said that a discussion on Vande Mataram will be held in the House in the next session,” added CM Fadnavis. वंदे मातरम्!सुजलाम्, सुफलाम्, मलयज शीतलाम्,शस्यश्यामलाम्, मातरम्!वंदे मातरम्!महाराष्ट्र विधिमंडळाच्या 'हिवाळी अधिवेशन 2025'ची सुरुवात...#Maharashtra #Nagpur #WinterSession2025 pic.twitter.com/qBCdTbOi0h — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 8, 2025 The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature began in Nagpur on Monday. Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s allegation that the BJP was “imposing a ban” on the national song, Fadnavis said it was the Congress that had limited its recitation. “It is the Congress that curtailed it by mandating that only a couple of stanzas will be sung. Aaditya Thackeray roams with the Congress every day. He should be questioning the Congress rather than the BJP. Vande Mataram has got only respect during BJP rule and there were no restrictions,” the CM said. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Thackeray had alleged that the BJP “misuses” the national song and slogans such as ‘Jai Hind’ and Hindutva for electoral gains and later restricts their use. “If you see the Rajya Sabha handbook this year, they have imposed restriction on saying ‘Jai Hind’ and Vande Mataram in the House,” he said. Meanwhile, in the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated a debate on the “150th anniversary of national song Vande Mataram”. In a sharp attack, he said India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had “betrayed” Vande Mataram by echoing the communal concerns of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and fragmenting the national song, which put the country on the path of appeasement politics leading to Partition. “Unfortunately, on October 26, 1937, Congress compromised on Vande Mataram, fragmenting it in their decision. This decision was cloaked under the guise of social harmony, but history bears witness that INC bowed before the Muslim League and acted under its pressure, adopting a politics of appeasement,” Modi said. (With PTI inputs)
08 December,2025 07:02 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentIndiGo on Monday said that it has refunded Rs 827 crore to passengers affected by recent flight disruptions, with the remaining refunds under process for cancellations up to December 15, reported the IANS. The airline said it is scheduled to operate over 1,800 flights on Monday, up from 1,650 on Sunday, and has delivered more than 4,500 checked-in bags to customers, with the remainder expected to be delivered within 36 hours. An IndiGo spokesperson said, "We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations, with advance notifications sent to passengers. Our on-time performance has improved to 91 per cent across the network," according to the IANS. The announcement comes amid intense government scrutiny. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that the government is conducting a thorough inquiry and will take strict action against the airline to set an example. He added that passengers had faced significant difficulties due to crew and roster management issues, the news agency reported. IndiGo also stated that all cancellations on Monday’s schedule were executed in advance on Sunday. The airline is assisting over 200,000 customers daily through multiple channels and said it is working "on a war footing" to resolve queries and expedite internal processes. "We regret this disruption and apologise sincerely to all our customers. We reiterate that our operations remain fully compliant with FDTL norms and safety regulations, as they have been for the past two decades," the airline added, as per the IANS. Meanwhile, IndiGo cancelled 562 flights from six major airports on Monday, with 150 cancellations from Bengaluru airport alone, according to sources, reported the PTI. The airline is still trying to restore normal operations after a wave of cancellations that began last Tuesday due to regulatory changes affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. On Sunday, IndiGo operated 1,650 flights, cancelling 650, with its on-time performance improving to 79.9 per cent. Of the 562 cancellations on Monday, Bengaluru saw 76 arrivals and 74 departures cancelled, while Delhi recorded 83 departures and 60 arrivals cancelled. At Mumbai and Hyderabad, the numbers were 98 (50 arrivals, 48 departures) and 112 (58 arrivals, 54 departures) respectively. Chennai airport faced 56 cancellations, whereas Kolkata had only two flights cancelled, according to the PTI. IndiGo serves approximately 90 domestic and over 40 international airports, but the total number of cancellations at other airports was not disclosed. The figures exceeded Civil Aviation Ministry projections, which had suggested 500 cancellations against 1,802 scheduled flights for Monday, the news agency reported. (with IANS and PTI inputs)
08 December,2025 06:17 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentVinod Kumar, along with his wife and her three sisters, left Delhi less than a week ago for their long-awaited vacation in Goa, as his mother watched them step out with bags and bade them a cheery farewell. On Monday, she sat by the same door waiting, unaware that her younger son, elder daughter-in-law and two close relatives would never return after losing their lives in a fire. The massive blaze in the early hours of Sunday tore through a Goan nightclub in Arpora, killing 25 people. Four of the five Delhi residents, all members of Kumar's family, were among those who died. The fifth, Bhavna Joshi, survived with injuries, police said. The deceased were identified as Vinod Kumar (43), Kamla Joshi (42), Anita Joshi (41) and Saroj Joshi (39). The injured, Bhavna, is Vinod's wife and a sister to the three deceased women. Kamla was married to Vinod's elder brother, Naveen. Their relatives said the four sisters had been planning the trip for months -- hoping for a few days of rest now that their children were older and no longer wholly dependent on them. Vinod had accompanied them so that they would feel safe and supported during the journey. The five left their Karawal Nagar homes with excitement, expecting a brief break from routine. Mahipal Singh Bhandari, a long-time neighbour of the family, said the loss was impossible to grasp. "I have been staying next to this family for almost 40 years. It is extremely heartbreaking that four members of the same family lost their lives because of someone else's irresponsibility," he said. Harish, a relative and a neighbour, said the tragedy had shaken the neighbourhood. "Incidents like these must be stopped before they even begin. Even if you look at the Rajendra Nagar coaching centre issue, that too should have been prevented. Proper checks are essential. Wherever crowds gather, exits must be open, and fire-safety norms must be followed by every organisation," he said. He further said he heard that this club had been ordered shut, and yet it reportedly kept running "illegally despite several notices". He added that the government must be held responsible. "Strict action is needed, and those responsible must not be spared. Families have lost their sons, husbands, children, brothers, sisters, wives and daughters, and this is not something you can ignore. Five of them set out for a Goa vacation, four of them got lost forever," he said. At their home in Karawal Nagar, relatives are struggling to shield the children and the elderly mother from the truth. Vinod and Bhavna are survived by their two children, an 11-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. They have been kept away from the stream of neighbours and relatives arriving at the house, neighbours said. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son of Kamla have barely spoken since they received the news, relatives said, adding that they were waiting for their mother to return and bring souvenirs from Goa. In a different room, Vinod's mother waits, unaware that the goodbyes she said to four members of the family have turned out to be the final ones. Relatives say she keeps asking if the "injured" have been shifted to a safer hospital. "She believes they will be brought home any moment," a local resident said, adding, "No one knows how she will react when she learns the truth." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
08 December,2025 05:32 PM IST | New Delhi | PTISamajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday hit out at the BJP, claiming that those who did not participate in the freedom struggle were now talking of the values of "Vande Mataram" and asserted that the national song should not be used as a tool to impose one's beliefs on others. Participating in a discussion on the 150th anniversary of "Vande Mataram" in the Lok Sabha, Yadav said that "Vande Mataram" should be followed in spirit, as it is a song which bonded people during the freedom struggle. "Vande Mataram is not to show off, nor is it a political tool. When we listen to them, they make it sound as if they created the verse," Yadav said referring to the treasury benches. He also questioned how individuals who did not participate in the freedom struggle could truly understand the meaning of "Vande Mataram." "Today, divisive elements are using Vande Mataram to create divisions. These individuals are still following the same 'divide and rule' policy used by the British," Yadav said. He also accused those on the treasury benches of wanting to own everything, saying, "time and again it has been seen that those on the ruling side try to appropriate iconic leaders who never belonged to them". Yadav noted that while people may not remember the entire "Vande Mataram" song or fully comprehend its significance, simply uttering those two words can evoke pride, as they are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. He emphasised that "Vande Mataram" played a crucial role in uniting India to emerge from British rule, and in its 150th year, this song should not be used as a means to impose one's beliefs or exert pressure on others." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
08 December,2025 05:32 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIAhead of the UNESCO Heritage Committee Session, which is set to be held at Red Fort from Tuesday to Saturday, the Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued a detailed traffic advisory. In view of the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Delhi Police, in a post on social media platform X, informed that special traffic arrangements will remain in force between 8 am and 9 pm throughout the event period. According to the social media post put up by the Delhi Traffic Police, key stretches around the venue will experience traffic restrictions and need-based diversions, particularly along Netaji Subhash Marg and Nishad Raj Marg. The Delhi Traffic Police also asserted that commuters may face diversions from Chhatta Rail Chowk, T-Point Subhash Marg, Shanti Van Chowk, GPO Chowk, Delhi Gate, and Hanuman Mandir Crossing, depending on traffic flow and security requirements. TRAFFIC ADVISORYIn view of the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage at Red Fort from 08–13 December 2025, special traffic arrangements will remain in force from 08:00 AM to 09:00 PM.📍 ROADS WITH RESTRICTIONS & POSSIBLE DIVERSIONS… pic.twitter.com/uOr2QPylCO — Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 7, 2025 Highlighting about parking near the venue, the post stated, “Use only designated parking areas: Parade Ground, ASI Parking (Red Fort), Dangal Maidan, Omaxe Mall, Church Mission Road Parking." The authorities said that event attendees or those travelling around the vicinity should use footpaths and designated crossings and follow instructions from on-ground personnel to ensure smooth movement. The post reads, "Use footpaths & designated crossings. Follow on-ground staff instructions." Hinting at the major areas likely to be affected during the UNESCO Heritage Committee Session at Red Fort, the Delhi Traffic Police said congestion is expected on several key stretches, particularly Ring Road (Rajghat–ISBT Kashmiri Gate), Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishad Raj Marg, and SPM Marg. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated through official Delhi Traffic Police channels. The session at Red Fort is expected to draw international delegates, prompting enhanced security and mobility arrangements in the area. While speaking about the UNESCO gathering, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday described traditions, languages, music, craftsmanship and other intangible heritage as the most "democratic expression of culture", saying they are "owned by all and guarded by many" at the beginning of a major UNESCO gathering held at the Red Fort. (With ANI inputs)
08 December,2025 05:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the government has initiated an inquiry into Indigo's mass flight cancellations and will take strict action against the operator to set an example for other airlines. Blaming the airlines for its failure to manage the crew and duty roster through its day-to-day operations, Naidu said, "We are not taking this situation easily. We are doing an inquiry. We will take very, very strict action not only for this situation but also as an example". To the questions raised by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, who wanted to know whether the Indigo crisis was caused by a fault in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), a technical issue that disrupted flight services in early November 2025. The minister said the Indigo crisis was not related to AMSS but was due to anomalies and mismanagement in Indigo's internal crew roster system. Elaborating on the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) guideline, which was framed after the high court order in April 2025, Naidu said that there were 22 FDTL guidelines, out of which 15 were implemented from July 1, 2025 and the remaining seven from November 1, 2025. According to Naidu, multiple stakeholder consultations were done, including Indigo, regarding the implementation of FDTL, and the government had made it very clear that all airlines will have to follow the rules without any compromise on safety. The minister added that since November 1, 2025, the day the FDTL fully came into operation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been in continuous consultation with all airlines, as they have requested certain exemptions due to variations in their operations. "After thorough consultation and safety risk assessment, necessary variations and exemptions have been given beforehand", Naidu said, adding that the crisis took place almost one whole month of operation in the new FDTL. Blaming Indigo entirely for the crisis, Naidu said that even on December 1, 2025, when the Ministry met with Indigo on FDTL, as it required some clarification, the company didn't flag the issue that caused the crisis. "This is a day-to-day operation -- something that Indigo should have maintained. Indigo was supposed to manage the crew, roaster through its day-to-day operations", Naidu said. "If there is any mis-compliance, non-compliance, non-adherence for any single person, entity and organisation, or any operator functioning in this civil aviation, we will take very, very strict action so that we set an example in the industry," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
08 December,2025 05:05 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIADVERTISEMENT
