Breaking News: Key Updates from India and Beyond
Helicopter Services to Kedarnath Set to Resume with Fare Concession
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Tuesday that helicopter services to Kedarnath will resume on Wednesday. In a bid to support pilgrims, a 25% concession on fares will be offered.
The decision follows an aerial inspection by Dhami of the rain-damaged Kedarnath trek route. The Chief Minister also reviewed ongoing relief and rescue operations. “Our priority is to restore the pilgrimage route by road as soon as possible,” Dhami stated. He noted extensive damage, including breaches at 29 locations due to landslides, disruptions in water and power supply, and telecommunication failures.
Dhami praised the collaborative efforts of disaster management teams, district officials, the SDRF, NDRF, and local community leaders in executing the large-scale rescue mission.
Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) in Seat-Sharing Discussions
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala met with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday during Thackeray’s visit to Delhi. The meeting, held at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s residence, was described as informal. It focused on the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections and potential seat-sharing arrangements.
Chennithala confirmed that discussions would continue on August 7 in Mumbai, with key Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi expected to be involved.
Thackeray’s visit marks his first trip to Delhi since the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition—comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP)—secured 31 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.
The I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders are also anticipated to meet in Delhi this week, as the state gears up for its assembly polls in October, a critical battleground for both the BJP and Congress.
