In a departure from the usual practice of taking the aircraft of the Border Security Force, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday flew in a commercial flight to Mumbai to see the situation arising out of the terror strikes there.

Coverage: Terror strikes Mumbai

A senior Home Ministry official pointed out that it was for the first time in the last four years that a Home Minister has availed of a commercial flight on official duty outside the national capital.

Chidambaram, who visited various places targeted by the terrorists last week, including the CST, Taj and Oberoi Hotels and the J J Hospital, took another commercial flight for his return journey.

The BSF has an Embraer aircraft, which is at the disposal of the Home Ministry and has been used by the Home Minister in the past.

Chidambaram, who replaced Shivraj Patil [Images] following the Mumbai incident, took with him only his personal secretary unlike a big team of senior officials and staff who used to accompany the Home Minister in the earlier occasions.