The Chandigarh Administration has prepared a comprehensive master plan to boost tourism by integrating cultural circuits that connect heritage landmarks, natural attractions, and modern sites. The initiative aims to offer visitors a complete tourism experience while enhancing the city’s profile as both a cultural and modern destination.

According to Tourism Department officials, infrastructure upgrades are already underway. Iconic attractions such as the Rock Garden and city gardens are being modernised with improved facilities. A digital museum at the Le Corbusier Centre is also in development to showcase the city’s rich architectural legacy and modernist design heritage.

The plan emphasises eco-tourism and cultural tourism as major focus areas. Activities like trekking, boating, and cycling will be promoted alongside lake tourism and green spaces. Festivals, exhibitions, and cultural performances will be used to highlight the city’s vibrant artistic and cultural identity, enriching visitor experiences and community engagement.

Officials stated that these projects will not only improve visitor satisfaction but also position Chandigarh as a balanced blend of heritage and modernity. By promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, the initiative aims to create long-term economic opportunities while maintaining the city’s unique identity envisioned by Le Corbusier.

Despite its popularity among domestic travellers, Chandigarh attracts relatively fewer foreign tourists. Ministry of Tourism data shows that while lakhs of Indian visitors arrive annually, foreign arrivals remain limited. In 2019, the city welcomed 15.63 lakh domestic tourists but only 44,132 foreigners, and numbers dropped drastically during the pandemic years.

Tourism is now rebounding, with 2024 recording nearly 10 lakh domestic visitors and 39,058 foreigners — the highest foreign arrivals since the pandemic. With the new master plan under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, the Administration hopes to scale up both domestic and international tourism, ensuring Chandigarh becomes a leading urban destination in India.

With rising fuel prices and increasing global pressure to reduce carbon emissions, airlines are under constant demand to improve efficiency. Air India Group is taking proactive measures by adopting SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS, two cutting-edge digital solutions designed to optimise flight operations. This marks a significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing modernisation journey.

The rollout covers Air India’s Airbus A320 and Air India Express Boeing 737 fleets, operating across both domestic and international routes. Deployment for the widebody fleet is also planned in the near future. By leveraging these technologies, Air India expects to cut carbon emissions by nearly 35,000 tons annually, contributing directly to its sustainability goals.

SITA OptiFlight is a suite of intelligence tools that optimise critical phases of flight. At its center is OptiClimb, a climb optimisation solution that uses historical flight data, aircraft-specific models, and weather forecasts to generate tailored climb profiles. This enables pilots to cut fuel consumption during the most energy-intensive stage of flight while maintaining performance and safety.

SITA eWAS complements this by providing pilots with real-time weather updates and predictive forecasting. Equipped with this tool, crews can avoid turbulence, re-route more effectively, and make smarter in-flight decisions. Together, these systems empower pilots with actionable data that improves efficiency while supporting Air India’s environmental commitments.

Industry experts highlight this move as a strong example of how airlines can balance regulatory pressures with operational needs. Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA, stated that predictive solutions like OptiFlight® and eWAS demonstrate how digital innovation can cut emissions, save fuel, and unlock real operational value.

Echoing this sentiment, Basil Kwauk, Chief Operations Officer at Air India, emphasised that sustainability and efficiency remain at the core of the airline’s transformation into a world-class carrier. By integrating advanced tools into daily operations, Air India is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also aligning itself with the global drive towards greener aviation.

Indian Railways is accelerating efforts to expand rail connectivity across the Northeast, with new projects underway in Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Officials confirmed that surveys and construction are progressing in hilly terrains, aiming to bridge gaps between the region and the rest of India. Work is also in progress to extend railway access to Sikkim, with a new line expected to be completed soon.

According to South Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer A. Sridhar, projects to connect the capital cities of Manipur and Nagaland are a top priority. These initiatives are expected to be completed within the next four years. Officials believe the new lines will bring significant social and economic benefits to the tribal populations of the Northeast.

The recently completed Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram highlights the scale of the effort. Passing through 48 tunnels, 87 minor bridges, 65 major bridges, and six road underpasses, the route links several villages, including Mualkhang, Kawapui, and Hotaki. Thousands of residents are expected to benefit from improved access.

Local voices reflect the impact of this development. “A journey from Bairabi to Sairang is a wonderful experience,” said Wesley, a youth who travelled on the test run. Others highlighted how decades of poor road and rail connectivity left towns like Aizawl and nearby areas cut off from the mainland.

The new Sairang railway station, located about 20 kilometers from Aizawl, is being seen as a game-changer for Mizoram. Residents believe it will boost economic opportunities, improve tourism, and provide easier access to healthcare and education. Many expressed gratitude for the government’s renewed focus on the Northeast.

Officials from Northeast Frontier Railway emphasised that these projects are part of a larger vision to integrate the region with the national network. With sustained investments in infrastructure, the Northeast is poised to move closer to the mainstream, supporting both regional growth and national connectivity.