eznews.inFour couples hoping to celebrate their marriage anniversaries in scenic Kochi found themselves stranded for 12 hours at Pune airport, where their romantic plans devolved into a lesson in marriage counselling amid fluorescent lights and frayed tempers. Husbands attempted to deflect their wives' frustrations onto IndiGo staff, who were equally bewildered by the chaos. Meanwhile, marathon runners turned the terminal into a training ground, sprinting from gate to gate. As IndiGo flights faced ongoing delays and cancellations, passengers expressed their anger, with one MP calling it "the worst experience" and vowing never to fly with the airline again. Tech influencer Arun Prabhudesai lamented the potential cancellation of a major event due to the airline's incompetence. By day's end, the airport was a scene of exhaustion and frustration, with hundreds sleeping on floors and chairs, while Lonavala unexpectedly became a popular alternative destination. 
Published: Dec 05 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn response to ongoing disruptions affecting IndiGo flights, Northern Railways has announced the addition of a third AC coach to the Jammu-New Delhi Rajdhani Express for the next seven days, starting tonight. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal stated that this measure aims to assist stranded passengers and enhance their travel comfort. The additional coach, which accommodates 72 seats, is available for booking by those affected by the flight cancellations. Reports indicate that 11 IndiGo flights have been cancelled from Jammu airport, leading to significant chaos and uncertainty among passengers, who have expressed their frustration through protests over the airline's lack of communication. This initiative by Indian Railways seeks to alleviate some of the travel challenges faced by those impacted by the operational disruptions.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel announced in Parliament that the Centre is reviewing a report from the Chief Advisor (Cost) in the Ministry of Finance regarding the potential reinstatement of a minimum fixed cost of ₹2,300 per tonne for certain public sector undertakings (PSUs) and cooperative urea units. This inquiry follows a recommendation from the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), which suggested that costing issues be referred for further scrutiny. Patel, responding to BJP MP Parshottambhai Rupala's inquiry about the timeline for addressing this matter under the Modified New Pricing Scheme-III (NPS-III), confirmed that the Department of Fertilisers has sought the Department of Expenditure's input. The Chief Advisor's report has been received and is currently under examination, with the proposed cost adjustment aimed to be applied retroactively from April 2, 2014.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 4 pmeznews.inRajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad received a bomb threat concerning Emirates flight EK526, which had just arrived from Dubai on Friday morning. The threat was communicated via email to the airport's customer support at 7:30 AM, prompting immediate safety protocols after the flight landed safely at 8:30 AM. These protocols included isolating the aircraft, screening passengers and baggage, and deploying sniffer dogs, with fire engines on standby. Flight EK526, a Boeing 777-300ER, had departed Dubai at 3:51 AM. This incident follows a similar threat received the previous day, which targeted two Indigo flights, resulting in the diversion of one to Ahmedabad Airport. Authorities are investigating the threats as part of their ongoing commitment to passenger safety.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn Kochi's latest tea auctions, dust prices surged due to heightened seasonal demand linked to the Sabarimala pilgrimage, with a notable 97% clearance rate for dust teas, driven by strong bidding. The average price rose by ₹2 to ₹163 per kg, while good liquoring teas remained firm, and medium teas also saw price increases. Blenders accounted for 65% of the total CTC quantity sold from an offered 578,991 kg. In contrast, orthodox leaf prices fell by ₹3 to ₹174 per kg, attributed to quality issues and limited export interest, particularly from Middle Eastern buyers. The overall market for whole leaf and brokens declined by ₹5 to ₹10. Additionally, tea arrivals have decreased due to adverse weather conditions, including low sunshine and extended rains, impacting crop production across South Indian tea-growing regions.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco) has expressed its approval of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points. In a statement released on Friday, Naredco highlighted that this reduction is a crucial step in revitalizing the economy and the real estate sector, enhancing liquidity and fostering new investments across various industries. The council emphasized that lower interest rates will make home loans more affordable, thereby supporting homebuyers and bolstering demand in the housing market. This positive shift is expected to benefit allied industries as well, potentially leading to increased employment opportunities. Furthermore, Naredco noted that the repo rate cut could stimulate interest among developers and buyers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, further expanding the market's reach.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inMorocco's OCP, which controls 70% of the world's phosphate reserves, anticipates its phosphorus exports to India, including di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and rock phosphate, will surpass 2.5 million tonnes in 2025, up from 1.8 million tonnes in 2024. CEO Youssef El Bari emphasized OCP's commitment to supporting Indian farmers, stating that customized fertilizers are key to enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. The company is shifting focus from exporting raw phosphate to tailored fertilizers, promoting triple super phosphate (TSP) as a superior option. Following successful initiatives in Nigeria and Ethiopia, OCP is establishing blending units in Rwanda and exploring similar projects elsewhere. El Bari highlighted the importance of precise nutrient delivery for India's diverse soils, particularly for pulses, as the country aims for self-sufficiency in this sector. OCP maintains significant partnerships with Indian fertilizer firms, ensuring a steady supply of essential nutrients.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia is seeking alternative sources for specialty fertilisers amid reports of China withholding exports, with domestic companies now turning to suppliers in Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Morocco, and the United States, as revealed by Minister of State for Fertilisers Anupriya Patel in Parliament. She noted that specialty fertilisers are not covered by the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme, allowing companies to import based on market conditions. To enhance self-reliance, Indian research institutions, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), are developing indigenous alternatives such as zinc EDTA and bio-fertilisers. These efforts are supported by government initiatives aimed at sustainable agricultural productivity. Official data indicates that China has been a major supplier, providing 65.65% of India's water-soluble fertiliser imports in the 2024-25 fiscal year, highlighting the urgency for India to diversify its fertiliser sources.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia has eased rest-period regulations for airline pilots to address significant disruptions in domestic flight operations, particularly affecting IndiGo, which has faced severe rostering challenges due to new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) implemented on November 1, 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo a temporary exemption from certain night-duty restrictions, allowing the airline to stabilize operations until February 10, 2026, while emphasizing that safety standards remain intact. IndiGo's operational difficulties have led to widespread flight cancellations, with over 350 flights grounded recently, prompting the DGCA to consult with various stakeholders, including pilot unions. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India criticized the exemption as unsafe and detrimental to established fatigue protections. The DGCA has called for cooperation from pilot bodies to mitigate further disruptions, especially during the peak holiday season, while monitoring IndiGo's compliance with FDTL norms.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant market update, India's benchmark indices saw gains, with the SENSEX rising by 470.30 points to close at 85,735.62, while the NIFTY increased by 158.90 points, reaching 26,192.65. In commodities, gold prices surged by 700.00 to settle at 128,000.00, and silver also experienced a notable rise, climbing 3,887.00 to 178,598.00. Conversely, crude oil prices dipped slightly, down by 3.00 to 5,380.00. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has relaxed certain pilot duty regulations following a staffing shortage that led IndiGo, India's largest airline, to cancel hundreds of flights this week. This development comes as the airline industry grapples with operational challenges. The situation remains fluid as further updates are anticipated.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 2 pm
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