The Ministry added that over 12,000 shuttle departures facilitated the travel of more than 67,000 pilgrims. It also informed that over 2,000 charter operations served more than 11,000 pilgrims, providing safe, reliable and efficient connectivity across the Char Dham sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has accorded special priority to ensuring that every devotee undertaking the Char Dham Yatra can travel with greater ease, convenience and safety.(AIR)

This redevelopment is a cornerstone of the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) project, aiming to transform the city into a premier aviation hub for Central India. Under the phased development plan, GNIAL targets a significant capacity expansion to handle up to 30 million passengers annually. The project is expected to draw substantial private capital, ensuring that the airport features world-class infrastructure and modernized passenger amenities while significantly boosting regional connectivity for the Vidarbha region.

Beyond passenger travel, the modernization focuses heavily on enhancing cargo handling capabilities, leveraging Nagpur’s strategic central location. By integrating advanced logistics infrastructure, the project is set to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities across Maharashtra. This development marks the final step in a multi-year process, transitioning airport operations to a specialized joint venture capable of delivering high-efficiency services and fostering industrial expansion in the region.

The Ministry directed that passengers travelling on the same PNR must be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats. It added that the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments should be facilitated in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner. The Airlines have also been instructed to bring out clear, transparent policies for the carriage of pets.

Meanwhile, strict adherence to passenger rights framework, particularly in cases of delays, cancellations and denied boarding has also been directed by the government. The Ministry also called for prominent display of passenger rights across airline websites, mobile applications, booking platforms, and airport counters. Airlines are also instructed to ensure clear communication of passenger entitlements in regional languages for wider accessibility and awareness.