Delhi must emerge as tourism hub, not just transit point: Minister Sood
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday said the time has come to develop the national capital into a leading tourism destination rather than a mere transit hub, asserting that the city's growth vision is centred on improving infrastructure, aesthetics and visitor experience.
Addressing the second ICC Aviation and Tourism Summit 2026 organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Sood said the Delhi Budget 2026–27 lays a roadmap for building a developed city defined by order, opportunity and modern infrastructure.
The summit brought together policymakers, aviation and tourism industry leaders, and other stakeholders to deliberate on growth prospects and collaboration in the sector. ICC Tourism Excellence Awards were also presented on the occasion, an official statement said.
Sood highlighted the importance of first impressions for tourists and said that the arrival experience plays a crucial role. He said Indira Gandhi International Airport reflects the city's identity and has been recognised as the best airport in India and South Asia for the eighth consecutive time.
He added that initiatives such as cultural displays and technology-driven systems like DigiYatra have improved passenger experience, making travel smoother and more efficient.
Referring to the Delhi Budget, Sood said the Rs 1.37 lakh crore outlay for 2026–27 focuses on infrastructure and urban development.
The capital expenditure has been increased to Rs 32,000 crore, with Rs 2,613 crore earmarked for transport and related infrastructure, including the redevelopment of around 750 km of roads, he added.
He said projects such as flyovers and corridors, including the Barapullah Phase-3, are aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity across the city.
Efforts to promote Delhi's global image through initiatives like "Branding Delhi" are also underway, as such events and cultural infrastructure help in boosting tourism, he added.
The minister further said the government is also focusing on sustainable growth with a dedicated green budget and policies promoting electric vehicles and solar energy.
He called for collective efforts to position Delhi not only as the political capital but also as a cultural and tourism hub, adding that the government aims to ensure a positive experience for every visitor.
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Power bank catches fire inside stationary IndiGo plane at Chandigarh airport; all evacuated
New Delhi (PTI): The power bank of a passenger onboard a stationary IndiGo aircraft caught fire at the Chandigarh airport on Tuesday, and all passengers and the crew were evacuated, according to a source.
In a statement, the airline said that when IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing, an incident involving a customer's personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported.
"In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out, and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed. All customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their well-being," the statement said.
The source said that soon after the aircraft landed, there was smoke coming from one of the overhead bins and all onboard were evacuated.
The smoke was due to the power bank catching fire, the source said, adding that no one sustained major injuries.
Details about the number of passengers could not be ascertained.
