Aviation safety regulator DGCA has suspended four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) over massive disruptions in IndiGo's operations, which resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and lakhs of people getting stranded across airports. The airline cancelled over 50 flights from Bengaluru Airport on Friday. FOIs are senior officials within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, working as part of its regulatory and safety oversight functions, often deployed to monitor airline operations. "Four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) at the DGCA have been suspended in connection with the recent large-scale disruptions in IndiGo's flights," a source said. These officials ensure aviation safety by inspecting, auditing, and certifying airlines and personnel, such as pilots, dispatchers,and cabin crew, to meet strict regulatory standards, verifying various regulations and overseeing training, flight standards, and accident prevention measures in India. "IndiGo has cancelled 54 flights -- 31 arrivals and 23 departures -- from Bengaluru Airport on Friday," a source said. The crisis-hit airline had cancelled over 200 flights from Delhi and Bengaluru on Thursday. Indigo CEO to appear before DGCA's investigation panel Meanwhile, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras will appear again before the DGCA's investigation panel at 2 PM on Friday. The DGCA on Thursday stepped up scrutiny of the crisis-hit IndiGo, with officials stationing themselves at the carrier's headquarters to monitor operations, and an inquiry panel grilled CEO Pieter Elbers. Elbers, who appeared before the DGCA-constituted inquiry panel on Thursday, has been asked to appear again on Friday. The four-member panel comprises Joint Director General Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspector Kapil Manglik, and FOI Lokesh Rampal, with a mandate to identify the root causes of widespread operational disruptions at the leading domestic carrier. The committee's mandate includes assessing manpower planning, fluctuating rostering systems, and the airline's preparedness to implement the latest duty period and rest norms for pilots, which came into effect from November 1 this year. 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.
12 December,2025 05:25 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIIn a major crackdown, police officers in Nashik have seized liquor worth Rs 28.55 lakh that was not meant to be sold in Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported. According to an officer, “One person has been detained in connection with the seizure made near Peth town on Thursday." “Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted a truck near the beginning of the Kotambi Ghat. While the driver claimed that there was nothing in the vehicle, police discovered a compartment containing bottles of India-made foreign liquor worth Rs 28.55 lakh,” the officer added. The alcohol which has been seized by the police authorities was manufactured in Diu-Daman and banned for sale in Maharashtra, PTI reported. Police officers have further emphasised that “the illegal liquor was confiscated and the driver has also been taken into custody”. Pune AIU seizes hydroponic marijuana worth Rs 2.29 crore The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Pune Commissionerate on Monday seized over 2.29 kg of hydroponic marijuana valued at approximately Rs. 2.29 crore at Pune International Airport, news agency ANI reported. The officials, while briefing about the incident, further highlighted that “A passenger from Bangkok has been arrested in connection with the case.” According to officers, AIU personnel intercepted the passenger who had arrived on IndiGo flight 6E-1096 from Bangkok based on profiling and specific intelligence inputs. Following this, a detailed examination of his checked-in baggage led to the recovery of 2,299.44 grams of hydroponic weed concealed in two airtight sealed packets, reported ANI. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra, during a targeted operation. The operations conducted on December 7 and 8 resulted in the seizure of 128 kg of mephedrone, valued at approximately Rs. 192 crore, along with 245 kilograms of precursor chemicals, raw materials, and a complete processing setup. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers conducted discreet surveillance, followed by a search operation in a remote, shrub-covered area of Karanja (Ghadge), nearly 60 km from Wardha. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai earlier in October also seized 4.7 kg of cocaine worth approximately Rs 47 crore from a passenger arriving from Colombo at the Mumbai airport. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
12 December,2025 05:20 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Legislature’s Privileges Committee on Friday recommended two days of “civil custody” for two supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislators, and barred them from entering the Vidhan Bhavan premises for their involvement in a scuffle during the monsoon session, news agency PTI reported. The committee proposed a complete ban on the entry of the two men — Nitin Deshmukh and Sarjerao Takale — into the Vidhan Bhavan complexes in both Mumbai and Nagpur for the remainder of the current assembly’s tenure, which runs until 2029. Committee chairperson and Shiv Sena legislator Narendra Bhondekar informed the assembly that the decision was made after reviewing video footage of the altercation that took place inside the Mumbai Vidhan Bhavan complex during the July monsoon session. “The committee verified the facts and the sequence of events before finalising the action,” he said. The report tabled in the House noted that Deshmukh, a supporter of NCP(SP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jitendra Awhad, and Takale, a supporter of BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar, had engaged in a physical confrontation in the assembly lobby, PTI reported. The nature and execution of the “civil custody” recommended for them is yet to be determined. The committee also proposed creating a dynamic database system to screen individuals seeking entry into the legislature complex and deny access to anyone facing serious criminal charges. The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature is currently underway in Nagpur, the state’s second capital. Efforts underway to govern Maharashtra from PMO: Nana Patole on new Lokayukta Act Congress leader Nana Patole on Friday criticised the Maharashtra Government as it prepares to implement the amended Lokayukta Act, following the state legislature’s approval of changes recommended by the Centre. He alleged that efforts are being made to run the state from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Speaking to ANI, Patole said, “The Chief Minister of Maharashtra is trying to run the state as Gujarat was run at a certain point in time. Efforts are being made to introduce one-sided laws to govern from the PMO.” The move follows long-standing demands from social activist Anna Hazare, who had announced an indefinite fast starting January 31, 2026, if the Act was not implemented. The Lokayukta Bill was originally passed in the assembly on December 28, 2022, and in the legislative council on December 15, 2023, before being sent for Presidential assent. President Droupadi Murmu approved the bill while recommending three key amendments, which were formally conveyed to Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis. The CM clarified in the legislature that bodies established solely under Central laws will not automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the state Lokayukta, ANI reported. However, officers appointed by the state to such bodies will come within its purview. Likewise, officers appointed by the Maharashtra Government to institutions created by the Centre will also fall under the Lokayukta Act. The amendments additionally replace references to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Evidence Act with updated citations from the Centre’s new criminal codes — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. With both the Houses now approving the amendments and Presidential assent already granted, the state government is set to bring the revamped Lokayukta Act into force soon, marking a significant step in strengthening Maharashtra’s transparency and anti-corruption framework, ANI reported. (With PTI and ANI inputs)
12 December,2025 04:57 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids across multiple states as part of a money-laundering investigation into an alleged illegal codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) trafficking racket in Uttar Pradesh, officials said, reported news agency PTI. More than 25 locations were searched in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur and Saharanpur, as well as in Ranchi and Ahmedabad, they added. According to the PTI, the raids targeted premises linked to the “absconding” prime accused, Shubham Jaiswal, his Chartered Accountant Vishnu Aggarwal, and alleged associates, including dismissed UP Police Constables Alok Singh, Amit Singh, and Vishal Singh. Several godowns, offices and shops belonging to manufacturers, distributors and stockists connected to CBCS trading were also covered during the operation. The federal probe agency recently registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), taking cognisance of about 30 UP Police FIRs related to the misuse, illegal manufacturing, trade and transport of CBCS, including smuggling across the Bangladesh border, PTI reported. CBCS is widely abused as an intoxicant, and one such syrup, Phensedyl, is smuggled into Bangladesh in large quantities through the international border. This category of cough syrup falls under Schedule H and can only be sold with a doctor’s prescription. ED officials said the estimated proceeds of crime under the PMLA amount to around Rs 1,000 crore. During the searches, officials recovered 46,891 CBCS bottles from a company office in the Transport Nagar area of Lucknow, along with computer devices and documents from all locations. According to officials, the ED found several dilapidated buildings and fake addresses when attempting to raid the premises of companies allegedly involved in “illegal” CBCS trade worth crores, reported PTI. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, was recently arrested by UP Police at Kolkata international airport while allegedly attempting to flee abroad. A total of 32 people have been arrested by state police so far, which has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the racket, the officials said. UP Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Krishna told reporters earlier this week that the investigation had exposed a network of major “super stockists” allegedly involved in the illegal diversion of the “highly regulated” CBCS. (With PTI inputs)
12 December,2025 04:28 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentThe US Federal Reserve's latest 25-basis-point rate cut has set the stage for a complex global monetary backdrop, but its implications for India are expected to be relatively stable, according to analysis from YES Bank's Economics Research team. "For India, we think that the sharpest pressure for the INR is over as we expect gold imports as also non-oil non-gold imports to moderate over the remaining part of the year." noted the report. The report notes that the Fed's December policy vote was deeply divided, with six members even preferring a pause and significant uncertainty visible in projections for 2026. This fracture, combined with evolving US labour-market data, indicates that the bar for further rate cuts by the Fed remains high. Despite the softer dollar post-cut, the report highlights that currency movements in 2026 will be driven more by relative growth and fiscal dynamics than by synchronised global monetary easing. For India, this environment is expected to ease pressure on the rupee. YES Bank expects gold and non-oil, non-gold imports to moderate, while foreign portfolio investors could bring fresh inflows as the USD/INR stabilises near 90.00. The report says "foreign inflows could also increase as FPIs may be more comfortable in bringing in flows around the USD/INR levels of 90.00". Repatriation flows in Q4 are also likely to support the currency. The bank projects the USD/INR to trade in the 89.75-90.50 range, with a high likelihood of ending near 90.00 by March 2026. On the domestic bond front, Indian yields have been trading with a negative bias after the RBI maintained policy rates. Markets expect no further rate action from the central bank and see liquidity support through OMO purchases as the key stabiliser. With the next MPC meeting scheduled after the Union Budget, focus will turn to elevated redemption and borrowing requirements for FY27. As per the report, 10-year G-sec yields are unlikely to fall sustainably below 6.50 per cent, and may end FY26 in the 6.45-6.55 per cent range. Overall, the Fed's move signals the nearing end of the global easing cycle, but for India, the impact is expected to be moderate, with currency stability and steady bond-market dynamics in the months ahead. 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.
12 December,2025 03:17 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIIn view of the ongoing Indigo flight cancellation crisis, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Friday held the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation equally responsible. The Congress leader further said that an impact study should have been carried out before issuing a notification on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). While speaking to the media on Friday, Karti Chidambaram asserted, "While the airline is primarily responsible, the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are also equally responsible, as they are the ones who gave the new notification on flight crew rest times. They should have conducted an impact study to see whether the airlines are capable of implementing it," as cited by news agency ANI. Meanwhile, a special four-member committee of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will meet with IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers on Friday, December 12, to question the latter on the widespread cancellation of flights in the last week. The four-member committee has been constituted to examine the flight disruptions caused by IndiGo, which have created complete chaos at various airports. As reported by news agency ANI, DGCA has increased scrutiny of the airline following widespread flight cancellations and delays and has taken several steps to ensure smooth operations. Earlier this week, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu informed the Lok Sabha that the flight operations were stabilising fast, with airports reporting no "crowding or distress". The Civil Aviation Minister further said that the safety in civil aviation remains non-negotiable. Moreover, IndiGo has also offered travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to severely impacted customers over the past few days, which can be used for any future IndiGo journey within the next 12 months. DGCA suspends 4 flight operations inspectors Earlier on Friday, the aviation safety regulator DGCA had also suspended four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) over massive disruptions in IndiGo's operations. The airline cancelled over 50 flights from Bengaluru Airport on Friday, which continued the major disruption across the country. Also, the FOIs are senior officials within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, working as part of its regulatory and safety oversight functions, often deployed to monitor airline operations. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2025 02:49 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess airline preparedness for the winter-fog season. To make sure that Indian aviation remains smooth during the winter season, Ram Mohan Naidu, while posting on social media handle X, wrote, “Chaired a comprehensive review meeting today to assess preparedness for the upcoming fog window of the winter schedule with all key stakeholders, including DGCA, AAI, airport operators, airlines and CISF. All stakeholders have been instructed to ensure full compliance, fix accountability and implement strict SOPs for fog operations.” Chaired a comprehensive review meeting today to assess preparedness for the upcoming fog window of the winter schedule with all key stakeholders including DGCA, AAI, airport operators, airlines and CISF.All stakeholders have been instructed to ensure full compliance, fix… pic.twitter.com/hDyelFMSwu — Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 12, 2025 The Union Civil Aviation Minister further wrote that, “To maintain smooth operations, emphasis has to be laid on real-time data exchange, activation of war rooms and deployment of CAT-II/III compliant aircraft with qualified crew. Clear directions have been issued to ensure safe, seamless and well-coordinated operations, along with timely communication of updates to passengers to help them prepare well in advance. Each and every passenger is important, and any instance of inconvenience will be addressed with clear accountability." Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday sacked four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) in connection with the recent IndiGo flight cancellation crisis. According to the notice issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the four Flight Operation Inspectors who had been dismissed are Rish Raj Chatterjee, Seema Jhamnani, Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, and Priyam Kaushik, reported ANI. The notice further stated, "Consequent upon approval of the Competent Authority, the following Fols under various categories, on a contract basis, in DGCA are hereby relieved from DGCA with immediate effect to join their respective parent organisations: Rish Raj Chatterjee, Consultant [Dy. CFOI(A)], Seema Jhamnani, SFOI(A), Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, Consultant [FOI(A)], and Priyam Kaushik, Consultant [FOI(A)]." Meanwhile, a special four-member Committee of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will meet with IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to question the latter on the widespread cancellation of flights in the last week,” as cited by news agency ANI. As per the reports, the four-member committee has been constituted to examine the flight disruptions caused by IndiGo. The airline, since the last few days, has been creating complete chaos at various airports. While the DGCA has increased scrutiny of the airline following widespread flight cancellations and delays, along with taking several steps to ensure smooth operations, the flight services till Thursday remained disrupted. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2025 02:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA man claiming to be the original owner of the land on which the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub stood has alleged that part of his property was converted from a salt pan to a settlement zone without his knowledge to benefit the establishment, reported news agency PTI. Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar said he had signed a sale agreement in 2004 with Surinder Kumar Khosla, but the deal was withdrawn within six months after the payment did not materialise. Khosla went on to set up a nightclub on the land, which was later taken over by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane. A devastating blaze tore through the nightclub located in the Arpora Village of North Goa around midnight on December 6, killing 25 people, most of them staff members and some tourists. Amonkar said he has been fighting a legal battle against Khosla over the property. “For 21 years, I have been fighting in courts to get back my land in Arpora, which has been wrongfully occupied,” he told PTI. He said he recently learned about a “new development” concerning the land. “The government quietly changed the zoning of my land without informing me,” claimed Amonkar, adding that no notice was served to him during the ongoing litigation. According to him, the area where the nightclub was constructed has now been designated as a settlement zone. “How can a salt pan be converted into a settlement zone?” he asked. He said he discovered the “zone change” on Thursday while preparing documents to approach the high court in connection with the fire tragedy. A senior official from the Goa Town and Country Planning Department said that an inquiry into the matter is underway and that it would be inappropriate to comment on Amonkar’s allegations at this stage, PTI reported. Goa nightclub fire: Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch appears before police Arpora-Nagoa Sarpanch Roshan Redkar appeared before Anjuna Police in Goa after securing interim protection from arrest from a local court in the case involving the deadly fire at the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub that claimed 25 lives. Redkar and former panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar approached the district and sessions court in Panaji on Thursday, which granted them interim relief. Their anticipatory bail pleas will be heard on Friday. The state government has suspended Bagkar along with two other officials — Shamila Monteiro, then member secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Siddhi Halarnkar, then director of panchayats. Redkar visited the Anjuna Police Station on Thursday night with the court order granting interim protection. “We came here to submit a copy of the order to the police. We have told them that we are cooperating with them in their investigation,” the lawyer accompanying him told reporters outside the station. Redkar reiterated that he is cooperating with police in the probe into the incident. (With PTI inputs)
12 December,2025 02:30 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentCongress Member of Parliament (MP) and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday drew attention to the worsening air pollution crisis in India’s major cities. He urged the government to hold a detailed discussion in parliament and create a systematic plan to tackle the issue, news agency ANI reported. The Congress leader said that the futures of millions of children are being jeopardised as they develop lung diseases. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said, "Most of our major cities are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Millions of children are getting lung diseases. Their future is being destroyed. People are getting cancer. Older people are struggling to breathe. This is an interesting issue because I'm certain that there will be full agreement between the government and us on this issue. This is not an ideological issue. Everybody in this house would agree that air pollution, the damage it is doing to our people, is something that we would like to cooperate on." Stressing the need for collective action, he added that it would be worthwhile for everyone to participate in a thorough discussion, followed by the Prime Minister introducing a plan for each city, ANI reported. "It's important that the government develops a plan for how to get rid of air pollution in our cities. We are more than happy to cooperate with the government on developing such a plan. There are not many issues these days that the government and the entire opposition can agree on. I think the government should have a discussion in parliament. We should try not to make it a discussion where we are abusing you, and you are abusing us," Gandhi said. Continuing his speech, Gandhi said, "I think we should make it a discussion where we are participating, we are showing the country that on this fundamental issue, there is agreement, and the best minds are going to be put into place to solve this issue. I think it would be good if we have a detailed discussion and then the Prime Minister puts in place a plan for each city, a methodical systematic plan on how, within the next five or ten years, maybe we cannot resolve the problem, but how we are going to address the problem and make life for our people easier." #WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "Most of our major cities are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Millions of children are getting lung disease. Their future is being destroyed. People are getting cancer. Older people are struggling to… pic.twitter.com/hBRzfOb0rB — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2025 Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the government is open to discussion. "The government, from day one, had made our position very clear that on all important matters, the government is ready to discuss and also to find a solution, taking along the suggestions from all the members, including the principal opposition party led by Rahul Gandhi ji. Under the various laws and rules, we will see how we will take up this discussion," said Rijiju. The exchange comes amid rising public concern about deteriorating air quality across multiple cities, especially in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), where the air quality index (AQI) has climbed above 300, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. (With ANI inputs)
12 December,2025 02:03 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra witnessed cool mornings across most regions on Friday, with minimum temperatures ranging from 7.3 degrees Celsius to 16.1 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Seasonal rainfall and relative humidity varied across the state, while most districts reported clear skies with little to no rainfall in the last 24 hours. In the northern and western parts of the state, Nashik recorded a minimum of 7.8 degrees Celsius with 64 per cent relative humidity and no rainfall over the past 24 hours. Pune experienced a low of 8.3 degrees Celsius with 77 per cent humidity, while Satara recorded a minimum of 9.4 degrees Celsius under clear sky and haze conditions. Kolhapur reported a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius and 55 per cent relative humidity, and Sangli saw 11.3 degrees Celsius with 68 per cent humidity, accompanied by haze. In the coastal belt, Dahanu recorded a minimum of 15.1 degrees Celsius with 72 per cent humidity, while Ratnagiri experienced a comparatively warmer low of 16.1 degrees Celsius with 43 per cent humidity, reported IMD. Other notable readings included Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar at 10.6 degrees Celsius with 47 per cent humidity, Ahilyanagar at 7.3 degrees Celsius with 90 per cent humidity, and Udgir at 11.0 degrees Celsius with 51 per cent humidity. Malegaon recorded a minimum of 8.4 degrees Celsius with 95 per cent relative humidity. Nanded reported a low of 9.1 degrees Celsius and a high of 28.9 degrees Celsius with 63 per cent humidity. The IMD has issued yellow alerts for several Maharashtra cities likely to experience cold-wave conditions today. The affected locations include Jalgaon, Nashik, the Nashik ghats, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal. Cold-wave conditions are expected to occur in isolated pockets across these regions. Seasonal rainfall (SRF) continues to accumulate in several districts, including Ratnagiri with 405.7 millimetres, Dahanu with 184.6 millimetres, Sangli with 112.5 millimetres, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar 108.6 millimetres, and Kolhapur 96.3 millimetres. Most other regions reported negligible rainfall in the last 24 hours. Air quality index 115 in Mumbai; temperature may drop to 15 degrees Celsius, say IMD Mumbai is expected to experience mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs on Friday. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may drop to 15 degrees Celsius. In Colaba, the minimum temperature was recorded at 20.6 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity at 74 per cent. Santacruz reported a minimum of 14.9 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of 75 per cent. Air quality in Mumbai remains moderate, with the city registering an AQI of 115, according to the SAMEER App. Experts caution that such levels may cause breathing discomfort for individuals with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. AQI readings across various city areas are as follows: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) – 115, Borivali – 79, Byculla – 96, Chakala (Andheri East) – 93, Chembur – 124, Colaba – 101, Deonar – 126, and Kandivali West – 53.
12 December,2025 01:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNine pilgrims died, and 23 others were injured when a private travel bus fell into a gorge in Alluri Sitharamaraju district in the early hours of Friday. The accident occurred on the Chintur-Naredumilli ghat road when the driver apparently failed to negotiate a sharp turn and hit the safety wall before it fell into the gorge. The bus carrying 37 people, including two drivers, was heading to Bhadrachalam. The passengers were all from the Chittoor district who were on their way to the Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana from Araku. The victims were on a pilgrimage tour to various temples in north Andhra and neighbouring Telangana. As there was no mobile phone network coverage in the area where the accident occurred, it took some time for the information to reach the police. Police rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Nine bodies were recovered from the accident spot. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Chintur. The condition of five of the injured was stated to be critical, and they were shifted to a hospital at Bhadrachalam. Five police vehicles and three ambulances were pressed into service to shift the injured. Police suspect that poor visibility due to dense fog in the region may have led to the tragedy. The driver was not familiar with the roads in the region, and officials believe that he could not control the vehicle at the curve. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident. He spoke to officials about the rescue and relief operations. He directed them to ensure the best treatment for the injured. Home Minister V. Anitha and Tribal Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Minister G. Sandhya Rani left for the accident site. They spoke to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Alluri Sitharamaraju district and directed them to ensure all help to the victims. Voicing concern over increasing road accidents, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had last month ordered third-party auditing on road accidents to know the causes. Addressing the Road Safety Council meeting, the Chief Minister had expressed concern over the deaths of 6,433 people in 15,462 road accidents in the state so far this year. According to officials, 79 per cent of accidents occur due to over-speeding, three per cent due to wrong-side driving, and one per cent due to alcohol and mobile phones. Andhra Pradesh stands in eighth place in road accidents in the country. 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.
12 December,2025 11:04 AM IST | Visakhapatnam | IANSADVERTISEMENT
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