Amritsar-bound flight returns to Delhi midway amid blackout measures
In a sudden turn of events, an IndiGo flight headed towards Amritsar from Delhi returned to the national capital on Monday, amidst precautionary blackout measures in the Punjab city. The flight, which departed from Delhi at 8:26 pm, was diverted back midway, according to live flight tracking website Flightradar24.
A video surfaced on social media showing an announcement on the flight about its diversion to Delhi airport. The video, which has gone viral, shows a passenger recording the announcement made by the pilot, stating that the flight has been diverted to Delhi due to “prevailing circumstances” in Amritsar.
The blackout measures, which were implemented in Amritsar to maintain law and order, led to the diversion of the flight. The city has been witnessing protests and violent clashes between farmers and the police over the past few days, resulting in the government imposing strict curbs, including a curfew and a communication blackout.
The flight, with registration number 6E-834, was scheduled to land in Amritsar at 9:45 pm. However, it took a sharp turn and headed back towards Delhi, landing safely at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10:24 pm.
According to reports, the passengers on board the flight were left in a state of confusion and anxiety, with many of them taking to social media to express their frustration and disappointment. Some passengers claimed that they were not informed about the diversion until the pilot made the announcement, while others said that they were initially told that the flight would be delayed but not diverted.
IndiGo, in a statement, said that the flight was diverted due to “operational requirements” and assured passengers that their safety and well-being were the airline’s top priority. The airline also apologized for the inconvenience caused to the passengers and promised to provide them with assistance and support.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of air travel in India, particularly in the wake of the recent violence in Amritsar. The government has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with many calling for a more effective and peaceful resolution to the crisis.
In the meantime, the Punjab government has been trying to restore normalcy in the city, with police personnel and paramilitary forces being deployed to maintain law and order. The government has also announced plans to set up a committee to investigate the incidents of violence and to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the situation in Amritsar continues to unfold, the return of the Amritsar-bound flight to Delhi serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities of modern air travel. With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, the need for effective and efficient air travel infrastructure and services has never been greater.
In conclusion, the diversion of the Amritsar-bound flight to Delhi is a stark reminder of the importance of safety and security in air travel. While the incident was likely a result of precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers, it also highlights the need for effective communication and planning to minimize disruptions and inconvenience to passengers.
