Mumbai: IndiGo announced commencement of daily direct flights from Mumbai to Denpasar in Bali from October 18, strengthening its connectivity to Indonesia.

On Thursday, IndiGo announced the new route connecting India with Indonesia as an addition to its existing daily flights between Bengaluru and Bali. The airline will operate the Mumbai-Denpasar route with its Airbus A320 aircraft.

The Mumbai-Denpasar flight no. 6E-1607 will depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) at 4.25am and the return flight 6E-1608 will depart from Denpasar at 5.45pm and reach CSMIA at 12.25am.

Vinay Malhotra, head of sales at IndiGo, said, “With the launch of daily flights to Bali from Mumbai, in addition to Bengaluru, IndiGo now connects two major metros to Bali, an increasingly popular leisure destination for relaxation and exploration. We are certain that customers will appreciate having these increased options to fly, with India’s preferred carrier, to Bali.”

IndiGo also announced the launch of direct flights between Thiruvananthapuram and Malé in Maldives starting from October 26. The airline will operate daily services on this route, making Thiruvananthapuram the fourth Indian city to be directly connected to Malé, in addition to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi.

The flights will be operated using IndiGo’s ATR aircraft, and will depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 12pm and reach Male at 1.15pm. Similarly, the return flight will depart at 2.05pm and reach at 4.20pm.

The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to be inaugurated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maharashtra on 8–9 October, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate Mumbai’s Metro 3 line during his visit.

The Maharashtra government has sent a proposal to the Centre to name the airport after the late MP and social activist DB Patil, a prominent figure in the region. The decision is pending with the Union government.

Located near Ulwe and Panvel, NMIA will operate alongside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) under a twin-airport model. This structure mirrors international examples such as Dubai’s DXB–DWC, London’s Heathrow–Gatwick, and New York’s JFK–Newark.

Being developed in five phases, the first stage of NMIA will accommodate 20 million passengers annually and handle 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo. Once fully completed, the airport will be able to serve 90 million passengers and manage 3.2 MMT of cargo each year, positioning it among the largest aviation hubs in Asia.

The Air India group has announced that its low-cost arm, Air India Express, will be the first to operate from NMIA. The airline will initially run 20 daily departures to over 15 domestic destinations. By mid-2026, this is expected to expand to 55 daily departures, including five international routes.

Four passenger terminals planned by 2032

Two parallel runways with capacity for 45 air traffic movements per hour

World’s fastest baggage claim system during initial operations

India’s largest General Aviation Terminal with 75 aircraft stands

Cargo terminals with 0.8 million tonnes annual capacity in phase one

Dedicated MRO facility and advanced ATC tower

Excellent connectivity via Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Metro lines and major highways

Bareilly, Sep 26: Cases have been registered, and legal proceedings are underway following the riot that broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly city on Friday, when a procession carrying “I love Muhammad” posters and placards did not obey police orders to disperse, DIG, Bareilly, Ajay Sahni said.

After Friday prayers, a large number of people took to the streets, carrying placards and posters reading “I Love Muhammad” and chanting slogans as they marched towards Islamia Ground and Khalil School Chowk. Police used force when people shouting “Nara-e-Taqbeer” did not disperse despite orders.

As the crowd reached these areas, the situation escalated. Police attempted to stop them, but the crowd became unruly. Meanwhile, someone began pelting stones at the police.

This further worsened the situation. Police responded with the baton charge. This sudden action created a stampede-like situation, and chaos spread throughout the area.

During the protest, rioters vandalised at least two motorcycles and targeted a shop. To control the situation and quell the unrest, the police undertook a baton charge. Following the charge, the crowd dispersed.

Slippers, shoes, and stones were scattered within a 200-metre radius of Khalil Tiraha.

Upon receiving information about the deteriorating situation, DIG Sahni, the Superintendent of Police, City, and other senior police and administrative officials immediately arrived at the scene. A flag march was conducted in the area to restore peace and prevent any further incidents. Currently, a heavy police force is deployed in the area, and the situation is reported to be under control.

Speaking to reporters, DIG Sahni said: “A case has been registered, and legal proceedings are being ensured.”

Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan had announced on September 26 that a crowd would gather at Islamia Ground after Friday prayers and march on foot to the Collectorate. Following the Maulana’s announcement, members of the Muslim community gathered across the city after Friday prayers. In anticipation of protests, a large police force was deployed across the city. The police administration assigned 4,700 police and PAC personnel, led by five Additional Superintendents and 13 Circle Officers (COs), to ensure security. CCTV and drone cameras were also installed.

AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to the recent controversy over the “I Love Muhammad” posters and the counter-campaign where placards reading “I Love Mahadev” were displayed at a gathering in Varanasi by religious leaders.

“If someone says, ‘I love you,’ then what’s the problem? What’s the problem with writing ‘love’? What message do you want to send to Muslim countries around the world with this? What’s the problem with ‘I Love Mahadev’? It should be done; it’s their faith. This is a way of socially boycotting Muslims,” said Owaisi.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also objected to the FIR lodged by police in UP’s Kanpur for the use of the expression “I Love Muhammad.”

Abdullah questioned the legality of the FIR and the mental stability of those who believe such an expression is “unlawful.”