Category: National

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) has urged the central government to treat the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports as a single unit for tariff calculations, according to documents reviewed. If approved, this proposal could equalize airport charges for passengers and airlines across both facilities—potentially boosting traffic at the soon-to-be operational Navi Mumbai airport, which is critical to AAHL’s strategic plans. Despite both airports being under AAHL’s ownership, tariffs such as passenger user fees, landing, and parking charges are expected to be significantly higher at Navi Mumbai, a greenfield airport built with an investment of ₹16,700 crore. In contrast, Mumbai airport is already an established facility with depreciated assets and lower capital expenditure. The disparity in charges may discourage airlines from relocating to Navi Mumbai, which is set to begin commercial operations in July. To support its case, AAHL has cited the 2021 amendment to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) Act, which allows grouping of airports into a single economic entity—a move originally aimed at facilitating the privatization of smaller, loss-making airports by linking them with profitable ones. A person familiar with the matter noted, “Since there has been a large capital invested in Navi Mumbai… naturally tariff at the airport will be significantly higher than Mumbai. If both airports’ tariffs are calculated as one unit, the charges at both airports will be the average of the two, bringing parity.” AERA sets airport tariffs every five years based on operators’ capital expenditure, operational costs, depreciation, and non-aeronautical revenue, ensuring reasonable profit margins for airport operators. However, the higher cost structure at Navi Mumbai poses a challenge to drawing in airlines unless incentives or tariff equalization is implemented. The proposal comes amid resistance from airlines, particularly after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) accused the Adani Group in March of leveraging its control over both airports to forcibly divert traffic to Navi Mumbai to jumpstart operations. Compounding the urgency, AAHL plans to renovate Terminal 1 of the Mumbai airport beginning in October. This revamp is expected to shift around 15 million passengers to Terminal 2 and Navi Mumbai, underscoring the need for smooth operations and airline cooperation at the new facility. Adding to the business incentive, the revenue-sharing terms are more favorable at Navi Mumbai. While Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) shares 38.7% of its gross revenue with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) is only required to share 12.6% with the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO). Neither the Adani Group nor the Ministry of Civil Aviation have issued a public response to the proposal so far.

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी बृहस्पतिवार को पश्चिम बंगाल के अलीपुरद्वार जिले का दौरा करेंगे, जहां वे एक महत्वपूर्ण सिटी गैस डिस्ट्रीब्यूशन (सीजीडी) परियोजना की आधारशिला रखेंगे और एक जनसभा को संबोधित करेंगे। यह उनकी ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ की सफलता के बाद राज्य की पहली यात्रा है और यह 2026 विधानसभा चुनाव से ठीक एक साल पहले हो रही है। बीजेपी नेताओं के अनुसार, प्रधानमंत्री अलीपुरद्वार और कूच बिहार जिलों में ₹1,010 करोड़ की लागत से बनने वाली सीजीडी परियोजना का शिलान्यास करेंगे। इस परियोजना के तहत दो जिलों में 2.5 लाख से अधिक घरों और 100 से ज्यादा वाणिज्यिक एवं औद्योगिक इकाइयों को पाइप्ड नेचुरल गैस (पीएनजी) की आपूर्ति की जाएगी। साथ ही 19 सीएनजी स्टेशनों की स्थापना भी की जाएगी। यह परियोजना पर्यावरण के अनुकूल, सस्ती और भरोसेमंद ईंधन आपूर्ति सुनिश्चित करने के साथ-साथ क्षेत्र में रोजगार के अवसर भी उत्पन्न करेगी। इसके बाद प्रधानमंत्री अलीपुरद्वार में एक जनसभा को संबोधित करेंगे। राज्य बीजेपी अध्यक्ष और केंद्रीय मंत्री सुकांत मजूमदार ने बताया कि दोनों कार्यक्रम – सरकारी और राजनीतिक – उत्तर बंगाल के सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रों में होंगे। उन्होंने कहा, “प्रधानमंत्री पहले सरकारी कार्यक्रम में हिस्सा लेंगे और फिर जनसभा को संबोधित करेंगे। शाम को वे पटना रवाना होंगे।” यह दौरा ऐसे समय पर हो रहा है जब बंगाल की राजनीति में सरगर्मी तेज है। बीजेपी 2026 के चुनावों के लिए अपनी रणनीति को धार देने में जुटी है, वहीं सत्तारूढ़ तृणमूल कांग्रेस केंद्र द्वारा फंड रोकने के आरोपों को लेकर हमलावर है। पार्टी नेताओं को उम्मीद है कि प्रधानमंत्री का यह दौरा जमीनी स्तर पर पार्टी कार्यकर्ताओं में नया जोश भरने का काम करेगा।

India has recorded a total of 1,010 active COVID-19 cases as of May 27, 2025, according to the Union Health Ministry. The increase comes alongside the emergence of two new sub-variants — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — which are currently under global observation. Kerala continues to be the most affected state, reporting 335 new cases, raising its active caseload to 430. Maharashtra followed with 153 fresh infections, taking its active tally to 209. Delhi, with 99 new cases, now has 104 active cases, with 24 recoveries reported over the past week. Other states showing a noticeable rise include Gujarat (83 cases), Karnataka (47), Uttar Pradesh (15), and West Bengal (12). In Karnataka, most of the new cases — 35 out of 37 — were recorded in Bengaluru, with the state’s active caseload reaching 80 and a 24-hour positivity rate of 19.37%. Genome sequencing conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) confirmed the presence of the NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 variants. These have been designated as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization, meaning they are not currently classified as Variants of Concern but are being closely watched. A sample from Tamil Nadu was among those found to carry the NB.1.8.1 subvariant and has been sent for further sequencing. While the national caseload remains relatively low, health experts are urging caution, noting similar upward trends in infections internationally. In light of the increase, the Union Health Secretary held a nationwide review meeting on Saturday to assess the COVID-19 situation and ensure preparedness. The government has advised continued surveillance, genome tracking, and public health precautions, especially in states reporting higher transmission rates.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) intensified its agitation against the central and state administration on Tuesday by locking two key central government offices in Imphal West — the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Geological Survey of India. This dramatic move was part of a broader statewide protest demanding an apology from the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, over a recent incident that has sparked public outrage. The protests stem from a May 20 controversy during which security personnel allegedly ordered the removal of the words “Manipur State Transport” from a government bus transporting journalists to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival. Protesters see this as an attack on Manipur’s identity. In response, Cocomi’s student wing locked the government offices despite the presence of security forces, displaying placards that read “Apology to Manipur or Leave Manipur” and “President’s Rule must stop insulting Manipur’s identity.” The protests have now entered their third day, with tensions escalating in the Imphal Valley. Public anger has also grown over reports that the Governor was airlifted in an army chopper from Imphal Airport to Kangla Fort — a short distance of about 300 metres — to avoid protesters blocking the roads. This has further fueled the perception of administrative collapse. The Opposition Congress criticised the airlift and the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, calling it a sign of complete civil administration failure. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the Centre, stating that President’s Rule has made no difference and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should resign for failing to bring stability to the state. He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring the worsening situation in Manipur while indulging in grandstanding speeches. Amid the protests, a seven-member Cocomi delegation met officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi. The closed-door meeting, which lasted two hours, included A.K. Mishra, adviser on Northeast affairs, and Rajesh Kamble, joint director of the MHA. The delegation demanded swift action on the resolutions passed at the May 3 People’s Convention in Imphal and expressed outrage over the Gwaltabi bus incident. Cocomi urged the home ministry to escalate their concerns to the highest levels of the Indian government, stressing the seriousness of the public’s grievances. The unfolding situation highlights the deepening unrest and identity-based sensitivities in Manipur, with local groups demanding greater accountability and respect from central authorities.