Navi Mumbai: Construction of the much-anticipated Kharghar Coastal Road — a key link that will enhance connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) — is expected to commence in early 2026, following the receipt of mandatory forest clearances.

Planned by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the 9.678-kilometre-long and 30-metre-wide arterial road will connect the airport to major nodes such as Belapur and Nerul, significantly improving regional mobility and supporting economic growth across Navi Mumbai.

The project will also provide direct high-speed access to the International Corporate Park (ICP) being developed on the lines of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the Golf Course, and the FIFA-standard Centre of Excellence (COE) at Kharghar.

A grade-separated interchange over the Sion-Panvel Expressway is part of the plan to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion between the airport and nearby business and recreational hubs.

Of the total road length, 6.96 kilometres will be newly developed, while the remaining portion will integrate with the existing network. The corridor will also cater to the anticipated transport demand from upcoming projects such as the Water Transport Terminal and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing schemes in the area.

CIDCO has awarded the construction contract to the J Kumar–J M Mhatre Joint Venture. Officials said the project will not only boost airport connectivity but also strengthen Kharghar’s position as a major residential and commercial hub, linking it seamlessly to Taloja and Navde.

“Known for its well-planned infrastructure, green cover, and educational institutions, Kharghar is poised to witness a new phase of growth once the coastal road becomes operational. Kharghar coastal road is estimated to be ready by 2029 if everything goes as per plan,” an official from CIDCO said.

New Delhi, Nov 8: The Ministry of Electronics and IT on Saturday announced plans for AI-based eKYC and global credential verification in the DigiLocker platform.

The platform has evolved from a secure document storage service into a trust layer that connects citizens with ministries and departments, according to an official statement.

National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and IT organised the National Conference on DigiLocker to discuss and showcase how DigiLocker evolves into a cornerstone of trust, convenience, and efficiency across government, education, and industry sectors.

The conference underscored the transformative role of DigiLocker in facilitating paperless governance, inclusive education, and secure digital services.

“DigiLocker serves as the trust layer connecting citizens, ministries, and departments—enabling secure, interoperable, and accountable digital governance. Our vision is a future where every digital interaction is trusted, every citizen empowered, and every institution accountable” said S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, who chaired the conference.

Krishnan said that the platform advances India’s digital journey from connectivity to capability, service delivery to self-reliance and now from digitalisation towards trust.

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, outlined the future of DigiLocker with AI-based eKYC and global credential verification, positioning it as a global model for paperless governance.

Presentations were made on integration of Digi Locker with Pension and Treasury systems in Maharashtra and with over 500 services through Sewa Setu Portal in Assam, the statement noted.

Seven states, including Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Mizoram, have been recognised as “DigiLocker Accelerators” for their distinct achievements.

DigiLocker allows citizens to access, verify, and share IDs, financial credentials and certificates securely.

Mumbai: Air India flight AI129, scheduled to depart from Mumbai to London Heathrow at 6:30 am on Saturday, November 8, 2025, faced a major delay after developing a technical problem shortly before takeoff. The issue left passengers stranded for several hours at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, causing major inconvenience.

According to reports, initially, announcements indicated a brief 30-minute delay, but boarding began only around 6:00 am. After passengers boarded and took their seats, the aircraft remained stationary for over an hour. Crew members later informed passengers that due to technical difficulties, they would need to disembark for safety reasons.

By around 8:15 am, all passengers were asked to exit the plane for additional security checks, which included the re-inspection of hand baggage. Many travelers expressed frustration over the prolonged uncertainty and the lack of sleep following the early morning schedule.

Air India officials clarified that the disruption was caused by aircraft-related technical issues and not linked to the airline’s Maintenance and Safety System (AMSS). Ground staff continued to assist passengers while engineers carried out detailed inspections on the aircraft.

Later, the airline announced that the revised departure time was set for 1:00 pm. To ease passenger discomfort, refreshments and meals were served at the airport lounge. Airline representatives assured that all necessary support would be provided until the flight was cleared for departure.

An Air India spokesperson explained the situation, stating, “Flight AI129 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to London on November 8 returned to bay shortly after pushback due to a suspected technical issue. Passengers were disembarked and the aircraft is undergoing checks. Meanwhile, the crew has come under the mandatory Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) protocol, restricting them from operating immediately.”

The spokesperson further added, “We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation. Our ground team in Mumbai is providing immediate assistance, including serving meals and ensuring passenger comfort. Every effort is being made to fly passengers to their destination at the earliest. At Air India, the safety and wellbeing of passengers remain our top priority.”