NSCBI Kolkata Airport launches “New DigiYatra” facility for domestic transfers passengers
A dedicated New DigiYatra facility for domestic transfer passengers—those arriving at Kolkata and taking another domestic flight has been launched today. The facial recognition-based system for domestic flight passengers was inaugurated by passengers themselves, in the presence of Dr. P.R. Beuria, Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), alongside senior AAI officials and key aviation stakeholders. Located adjacent to Arrival Baggage Belt No. 1, the facility is designed specifically for domestic transfer passengers. It enables quicker movement through terminal checkpoints by eliminating the need for physical boarding passes and ID verifications, reducing overall processing time and enhancing security protocols. “DigiYatra is a pivotal initiative aligned with the Government of India’s vision of a digitally empowered transportation ecosystem,” Dr. Beuria said. “Its integration at Kolkata Airport reinforces our commitment to technology-enabled efficiency and a seamless passenger experience.” The DigiYatra system uses facial recognition technology to authenticate a passenger’s identity and travel credentials. Once registered on the DigiYatra app, passengers can pass through designated gates using biometric verification alone. Kolkata becomes one of several Indian airports rolling out DigiYatra services, as the civil aviation sector accelerates efforts to adopt smart technology and improve operational efficiency amid rising passenger volumes. The launch event drew enthusiastic participation from travelers and industry representatives, underlining growing public support for innovation in air travel. With this addition, NSCBI Airport continues to upgrade its infrastructure and digital capabilities, aiming to establish itself as a modern, passenger-friendly hub in eastern India. India’s DigiYatra programme was first introduced in 2022 and is gradually being implemented across major domestic airports to ensure faster, paperless, and more secure air travel.
Human Skeleton Found in Garbage Sparks Investigation in West Bengal Town
Sanitation workers in a town in West Bengal’s Hooghly district discovered a human skeleton wrapped in plastic while clearing a garbage bin on Thursday morning, prompting a police investigation. The remains — including a skull and other bones — were found in the Daspara area of Ward 27 under the jurisdiction of Chinsurah Municipality. According to local authorities, municipal workers noticed a black plastic bag stuck to a shovel as they were lifting waste. When they pulled at the bag, the knot at the top came loose, revealing human remains. Police from Chinsurah station arrived at the scene shortly afterward and recovered the skeleton. Officials said there are no surveillance cameras in the area and it remains unclear when or how the bones were dumped. “We have questioned residents, but no recent deaths have been reported in the area,” a senior officer said. “We are looking into the possibility that the skeleton was brought in from outside the locality.” Investigators are also exploring whether the bones might have been used for academic or medical purposes. “As the skeleton appears to be old, we are checking if it was part of an anatomical collection used for study,” the officer added. A forensic examination has been ordered to determine the origin and age of the remains.
Curfew Imposed in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj After Deadly Clashes at Opposition Rally
Authorities imposed a curfew in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj district, the home region of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, late Wednesday night following deadly clashes between ruling party supporters and members of the opposition National Citizens’ Party (NCP). At least four people were killed and several others injured after violence broke out during an NCP rally in Gopalganj town. According to local media reports, including Prothom Alo, the deceased have been identified as Dipta Saha (25), Ramjan Kazi (18), Imon (24), and Sohel Molla (41). One man, Suman Biswas, remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and at least eight more people reportedly sustained similar injuries. The violence erupted when hundreds of armed supporters of the ruling Awami League, shouting “Joy Bangla” slogans, allegedly attempted to storm the rally venue at the Gopalganj municipal park. The crowd, led by local Awami League leader Mohammad Pial, reportedly vandalized the stage, set fire to police vehicles, and attacked the district commissioner’s residence, according to the NCP. Security forces responded with tear gas, sound grenades, and gunfire in a bid to regain control of the situation. Troops from the Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have since been deployed to enforce the curfew and maintain order. NCP coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari accused ruling party supporters of launching the attack and alleged that both police and the military failed to act impartially. “Awami League cadres were responsible for the assault, while security forces stood by silently,” he told reporters. By Thursday morning, the situation had slightly calmed, though a tense atmosphere remained. Debris from the previous day’s clashes, including bricks, bamboo sticks, and tree branches, still littered the streets of Gopalganj town. The government has not officially confirmed the number of casualties, and no arrests have been announced as of Thursday afternoon.
PM Modi to Unveil Development Projects Worth Over Rs 5,000 Crore in West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects valued at over Rs 5,000 crore during a visit to Durgapur in West Bengal, a government statement said on Thursday. The projects span key sectors including oil and gas, power, road, and rail infrastructure, and are aimed at boosting connectivity, clean energy, and industrial development in the eastern Indian state. As part of the visit, Modi will launch Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project for Bankura and Purulia districts. The Rs 1,950 crore project will supply piped natural gas (PNG) to households, commercial, and industrial units, and compressed natural gas (CNG) to transport networks. The initiative is expected to generate employment and improve clean fuel access in the region. The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Durgapur–Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation. The 132-km stretch, developed under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project, cost more than Rs 1,190 crore and runs through the districts of Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia. It aims to deliver natural gas to thousands of homes and industries, creating jobs during both construction and operational phases. In a push for cleaner energy, Modi will dedicate Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, developed by Damodar Valley Corporation. The pollution control systems, valued at over Rs 1,457 crore, are expected to reduce sulphur emissions and contribute to air quality improvement in the region. On the rail front, the doubling of the 36-km Purulia–Kotshila rail line in Purulia district, built at a cost of Rs 390 crore, will also be inaugurated. The project is aimed at enhancing connectivity between key industrial hubs including Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata, enabling smoother freight movement. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two road over bridges (ROBs) at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman district. The ROBs, constructed under the Setu Bharatam programme at a combined cost of Rs 380 crore, are expected to decongest traffic and enhance safety by replacing railway level crossings. The visit underscores the government’s focus on infrastructure-led growth and regional development in eastern India.
Indian Pilots’ Union Slams Report Blaming Crew for Air India Ahmedabad Incident, Alleges Boeing Being Shielded
India’s leading pilots’ union has criticized a U.S. media report that appears to blame the crew for a recent Air India incident in Ahmedabad, alleging an attempt to shield aircraft manufacturer Boeing from scrutiny. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday expressed “strong dissatisfaction” over The Wall Street Journal’s coverage, which cited unnamed U.S. officials claiming the Air India pilots were responsible for the near-disastrous incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 15. According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report, the aircraft experienced a critical loss of thrust during takeoff after both engines suddenly lost fuel flow. The incident occurred when the fuel control switches shifted from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ mode, effectively shutting off fuel supply to the engines. While the flight crew managed to restore power to one engine within seconds, the second engine failed to reignite, causing a rapid descent before the aircraft stabilized. No injuries were reported. The Wall Street Journal, citing black box data, reported that the captain manually switched off the fuel supply—an assertion the pilots’ union strongly disputes. “We are deeply concerned about the way the AAIB’s initial findings are being portrayed in international media,” the FIP said in a statement. “Attributing blame to the cockpit crew without a thorough, science-based investigation is not only premature but grossly irresponsible.” The union emphasized the extensive experience of the crew involved: Captain Sumit Sabharwal logged over 8,200 flight hours, while First Officer Clive Kundar had more than 1,100 hours. “It is implausible that such experienced professionals would inadvertently shut off fuel to both engines during takeoff. Mechanical malfunction must not be ruled out,” the statement added. Air India has stated there is currently no indication of technical issues with the Boeing 787-8’s fuel control switches, although the matter remains under investigation. The FIP has called for an independent, transparent probe and cautioned against what it described as “media trials” that deflect attention from possible manufacturing or system faults. Boeing has not commented on the incident or the FIP’s statement.
Trump Says He’s “Disappointed But Not Done” with Putin, Reaffirms Support for NATO
WASHINGTON, July 16: U.S. President Donald Trump said he remains “disappointed but not done” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a wide-ranging phone interview with an international news service marking one year since the attempt on Trump’s life at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump addressed rising tensions with Russia, reiterating his demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days and announcing plans to send additional U.S. weapons to Kyiv. The president also warned of “severe tariffs” on Moscow if no peace agreement is reached. Asked whether he trusted the Russian leader, Trump responded bluntly: “I trust almost no one.” Trump said he had believed on four separate occasions that a peace deal with Russia was within reach, only for the efforts to collapse. “I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,” he said, referring to Putin. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him.” The 20-minute call came after discussions about a formal interview to commemorate the anniversary of Trump surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign event. Asked whether the incident had changed him, Trump said he prefers not to dwell on it. “I don’t like to think about if it did change me… Dwelling on it could be life-changing.” In contrast to his previous criticism of NATO as “obsolete,” Trump expressed full support for the alliance after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte earlier in the day. “I think NATO is now becoming the opposite of that,” he said, noting that member nations are “paying their own bills.” Trump also reaffirmed his belief in NATO’s principle of collective defense, saying it ensures that smaller countries can defend themselves from larger adversaries. On the United Kingdom, Trump called it a “great place” and confirmed he would make an unprecedented second state visit in September. “Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he’s a great gentleman,” Trump said of his goals for the trip. The interview highlighted Trump’s evolving stance on global alliances and foreign adversaries as he looks ahead to the 2026 general election cycle.
