Mumbai, Oct 6: Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Anurag Garg called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai and discussed measures to intensify the fight against drug trafficking, an official said on Tuesday.

The NCB official said on X, “Detailed discussions were held on the various steps being undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Whole-of-Government Approach against drug trafficking and distribution in line with the Central Government’s objective of making the country drug-free by December 2029, along with Maharashtra’s ongoing efforts and the action plan for the coming period.”

“The state continues to be at the forefront of this nationwide mission to build a drug-free Maharashtra,” said the NCB.

Earlier in August, the India-US Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) Pillar I Working Group Meeting was hosted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a hybrid format to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating narcotics trafficking.

The NCB shared details of the meeting on the social media platform X, stating, “The India-US Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) – Pillar I Working Group Meeting was hosted by the Narcotics Control Bureau on 6 August 2026 in hybrid mode.”

The meeting brought together representatives from several Indian and US agencies. Participants from the Indian side included the NCB, Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Department of Revenue and Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.

The US delegation included officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), LEGAT, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the US Department of State.

The discussions focused on strengthening operational cooperation, preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals, enhancing policy coordination, and advancing capacity building, said the NCB.

According to the Union Home Ministry, the NCB has strengthened international cooperation in drug control through bilateral agreements with 27 countries and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries.

India holds regular Director General (DG) Level/bilateral talks on drug-related matters with countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore and the US, said an official.

Navi Mumbai, Oct 6: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is strengthening the passenger experience with expanded mobility, transit hospitality and airline support as more flights prepare to shift from capacity-constrained Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai.

The focus of NMIA, one of India’s largest greenfield airports and operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), on customer comfort also extends to a futuristic digital art programme and experience zone designed to create a more soothing and engaging environment for passengers.

The measures come ahead of the winter flying schedule, which runs from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation will start electric e-Shivai services from October 7 to Dadar, Borivali and Pune, with fares of Rs 170, Rs 210 and Rs 450, respectively. Children below 12 years of age and women travelling with a National Common Mobility Card will be eligible for half-fare.

‘Chalo’ operates 21 daily services to Marol, Bandra, Dadar and Colaba, while Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport runs seven dedicated airport routes.

Bharat Taxi will begin operations with up to 40 vehicles from October 10. Cityflo, Aarya and Chalo will also operate a complimentary hourly shuttle between NMIA and CSMIA.

The airport’s passenger transport network includes 3,787 app-based taxis, 184 car rentals, 171 autorickshaws and 547 buses.

NMIA is also connected to Panvel, Targhar and Bamandongri suburban railway stations, as well as major road corridors including Atal Setu and the Sion-Panvel Highway.

Inside Terminal 1, AAHL will open an 80-room Swirl Transit Hotel in mid-October, offering four-hour and overnight stays, showers, workstations, Wi-Fi and 24-hour dining.

A 21-room Swirl property is also planned at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati.

TajSATS’ flight kitchen at NMIA serves more than 40 departing flights a day, with capacity for 7,500 meals daily and expansion to 15,000 as demand rises.

It serves domestic and international carriers, provides local meal uplift for international airlines, and adds to the culinary offering for passengers. TajSATS, which has more than four decades of aviation catering experience, also operates the flight kitchen at CSMIA.

Mumbai, Oct 6: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Tuesday said that its dedicated inflight catering facility — operated by aviation catering company TajSATS — is prepared to support growing airline operations ahead of the Winter 2026-27 schedule, which runs from October 25 to March 27, 2027.

Located within the airport precinct, the flight kitchen currently serves more than 40 departing flights daily and has the capacity to produce up to 7,500 meals a day.

Moreover, the facility can be expanded to produce 15,000 meals daily as airline movements and passenger traffic increase.

“As NMIA expands its airline network, it is important that our supporting infrastructure grows with it,” said Subhash Murikenchery, Chief Airport Officer, Navi Mumbai International Airport.

“The TajSATS flight kitchen gives airlines the flexibility to meet rising demand and enhances the culinary experience for passengers,” he added.

The facility features production infrastructure, refrigeration systems and operational processes designed to respond to changes in airline schedules and demand.

Its location within the airport precinct is intended to facilitate meal delivery to departing aircraft.

NMIA said the facility provides local meal-uplift capabilities for international carriers operating to and from India, offering airlines an additional catering option closer to their point of departure.

“Approximately 40 per cent of international carriers operating from India rely on back catering from their own flight kitchens. NMIA’s inflight catering infrastructure has been developed to support this requirement, alongside the catering needs of domestic carriers,” according to the airport.

The catering infrastructure at NMIA has been developed to support those requirements alongside the needs of domestic carriers.

In addition, the facility offers catering services for both domestic and international airlines and can accommodate a range of dietary requirements, including special meals, allergen-sensitive menus and halal meals.

NMIA said the kitchen complies with food safety and quality standards including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), ISO 22000 and regulations of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority.

TajSATS — which has operated in the aviation catering sector for more than four decades — also runs the flight kitchen at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The airport said the facility is already operational and designed to scale in line with future growth in airline connectivity and passenger volumes.