PUNE: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, announced that its customers can enjoy uninterrupted and seamless connectivity on the newly inaugurated North-South Corridor of the Pune metro. This makes Airtel the first operator to offer connectivity across the complete stretch, spanning from PCMC to Swargate, including new stations Shivaji Nagar, District Court, Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate. 

Airtel has upgraded a significant number of sites along the 17.4 km route to enhance 5G capabilities. Furthermore, the company has deployed dedicated in-building solutions in the metro stations for consistent coverage within the 6 km underground metro stretch. This will ensure that commuters can enjoy blazing 5G speeds, uninterrupted voice calls and data transmission allowing them to stay connected and productive throughout their travel.

George Mathen, CEO- Maharashtra and Goa, Bharti Airtel, said, “We are committed to offering our customers in Pune the best. Airtel has deployed additional nodes and sites across the new metro route that will allow commuters to access high-speed mobile internet on the go. We will do what needs to be done to ensure that our network remains reliable making it an indispensable companion for all our customers”

With this new phase, Pune metro will now have a total stretch of 33 km across the city with over 30 stations. Airtel is the only operator to ensure connectivity on the entire metro route in the city.

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LUANDA, ANGOLA: The Emerging Senegal Plan – a framework for the country’s economic and social policy – prioritizes infrastructure development and aims to drive long-term growth on the back of private investment. The strategy is divided into two phases, with the first relying on public investment-led growth and the second prioritizing private investment.

To support this, the government established a new public-private partnership statute in 2021 to boost private sector involvement and reduce the government’s financial burden, leading to the launch of several large-scale infrastructure projects.

Dakar Bus Rapid Transit Project

The Dakar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is a comprehensive metropolitan program that aims to provide high-quality transportation. It entails a mass transportation system comprised of large-capacity electric buses that operate solely in dedicated lanes. The BRT project, which is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023, will cover a route of 18.3 km, traveling through 14 communes and serving around 300,000 people daily. The BRT, which is being funded by both the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (https://apo-opa.info/3PRDR7z), will cut travel time from an average of 95 minutes to 45 minutes, enabling increased urban mobility and access to employment and markets.

Phase II of the Regional Express Train

The 19-km connection between Diamniadio and Blaise-Diagne International Airport is expected to be finished by the end of 2023, with the addition of seven more trains. When the line is finished, the journey from Dakar to the airport (55 km) will take 50 minutes at a peak speed of 160 km/h. Firms Equans and Thales are in charge of signaling and electrification, while firms Eiffage, ENGIE Ineo, and Alstom are in charge of construction. In an interview with Energy Capital & Power, Malick Guaye, First Deputy at the Municipality of Sandiara, indicated that the train should eventually reach the city’s special economic zone.

Port of Ndayane

Construction on the planned port of Ndayane began in April 2023 and is projected to be completed in 2026, making it one of the major ports in West Africa. The project, which spans over 1,500 hectares, is funded by the Senegalese government with a 40% stake and Dubai Port World with the remaining 60%, as well as help from foreign banks. The port’s goal is to accommodate larger vessels and manage more cargo, increasing the transportation sector and cementing Senegal’s status as a key economic hub in West Africa. The first phase of development will feature a 5 km marine waterway and a container terminal of 840 meters. A 300-hectare special economic zone will be linked to the port.

Dakar-Thiès-Tivaouane-Saint-Louis Highway

Senegal has started the construction of a 200-km roadway connecting Dakar to Tivaouane and Saint-Louis. The project’s goal is to increase connectivity in the country’s northern areas and make it easier to harness the region’s mineral and agricultural resources. The government, the World Bank, the Saudi Fund, and the Société Générale banking group are all contributing to the construction. The highway will be critical in trans-African roadways connecting Tanger to Nouakchott, Dakar to Lagos and Alger, and Nouakchott to Dakar.

Renovation of Regional Airports

Following the reopening of the Saint-Louis airport, which now has the infrastructure to receive flights from Europe, the airports of Cap-Skirring, Kolda, Sédhiou, Simenti, Kaolack, Podor, Bakel and Linguère will be upgraded to meet regional development standards and to capitalize on their economic and touristic potential. The makeover will serve to enhance tourism in the country.

The upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition – which is organized by Energy Capital & Power and taking place from November 21-22 this year – will further unpack developments underway across Senegal’s infrastructure sector. During the conference, high-level speakers from Senegal including the Minister of Petroleum and Energies Sophie Gladima will provide updates on some of the country’s largest infrastructure and connectivity projects while showcasing future investment opportunities. For more information, visit https://MSGBCOilGasandPower.com/

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Vistara and Lufthansa had entered into a unilateral codeshare agreement, back in 2019, enabling Lufthansa to add its designator code (LH) to Vistara flights to 18 destinations in India.

Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara, said, “We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Lufthansa, one of the world’s leading airlines. This is a testament to our continued commitment to offering enhanced connectivity, world-class service, and a wide range of options to our customers. This enables our customers to conveniently book their itineraries and seamlessly travel across various parts of Europe on the joint network of Vistara and Lufthansa.”

Jeffrey James, Head of Communications APAC & Chief Spokesperson, Lufthansa Group, said, “We take pride in our relationships, and in India, our partnership with Vistara embodies our strong commitment to the country. As the third largest aviation market globally, India remains a key focus for our Group and we are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with Vistara, offering Indian travelers more choices, more options, and more connectivity between Europe and the subcontinent.”

Vistara has consistently focused on expanding its international reach and delivering exceptional service to its customers. The expansion of the codeshare partnership with Lufthansa is a strategic move that aligns with Vistara’s growth strategy and its goal of connecting India to key global destinations. With this bilateral codeshare agreement, Vistara continues to establish itself as a leading player, in the Indian aviation industry, known for its commitment to service excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

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Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, at IndiGo said, “We are extremely pleased to add more capacity between India and Europe during this holiday season, given the high demand for international travel. These flights will cater to travelers exploring Italy and UK, with one-stop connections to Milan, Manchester, Birmingham, Rome, and Venice via Istanbul. These new routes will not only strengthen international connectivity but also enhance affordability for travel to Europe. We will continue to strive to stay true to our promise of affordable fares, on-time performance, and courteous and hassle-free service.”

These destinations are well known for their majestic tourist attractions throughout the year. Milan is an alpha global city famous for its art, history, architecture, and football, as well as extraordinary fashion and culinary scenes. It is known worldwide for the majestic Duomo Cathedral, the prominent opera La Scala, the medieval Sforza Castle, the dazzling Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s legacy. Rome is generally considered to be the “cradle of Western civilization and Christianity”, and the center of the Catholic Church. It is known for its heritage and historical monuments/destinations like the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo, Ponte Sant’Angelo, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Vatican museums, and the Pantheon. Venice, known also as the “City of Canals,” “The Floating City,” and “Serenissima,” is arguably one of Italy’s most picturesque cities. With its winding canals, gondola rides, vibrant streets, and carnival celebrations, striking architecture, and beautiful bridges, Venice is a popular destination for travel.

Manchester is synonymous with football and is known for its live music scene and sports clubs. Destinations like Heaton Park, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Cathedral, Etihad Stadium, Manchester United Museum & Stadium, and Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester, are on the bucket list of every traveler. Known as England’s ‘Second City’, Birmingham is the largest city in England after London. It’s also known as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ due to its status as the world’s first manufacturing town. From the mirror-fronted façade of Birmingham’s Grand Central station to the ‘bubble-wrapped’ Bullring shopping center, modern architectural landmarks are scattered throughout the city Centre. Tourists from all around the world visit Birmingham for destinations like the Cadbury World, St. Philip’s Cathedral, Jewelry Quarter, and Victoria Square.

The new flights are designed to cater to travelers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options to access destinations that help in building businesses and are known for their tourist attractions. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website. The introduction of these flights will further bolster international connectivity.

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