Also, as part of the IDY celebrations, entry to all ASI sites will be "free of cost" for the public on June 21, the ministry of culture said in a statement on Friday.
'When we reached there only a small portion of the boat was above water and people were desperately clinging on to it.'
A boat tragedy off the Mumbai coast, which claimed the lives of 13 people, including Navy personnel, has cast a sombre mood over the city's iconic Gateway of India. Tourist boats that usually remain brightly lit until late at night were left unlit on Wednesday night, reflecting the tragedy. The incident occurred when a speeding Navy craft crashed into a ferry carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. The crash has led to the suspension of boat services at the Gateway of India, with police restricting entry to the area. Ambulances were seen parked at the landmark, and a musical event scheduled at the Gateway of India was cancelled.
A survivor of the fatal speedboat-ferry collision in Mumbai has accused the Navy speedboat driver of "showing off" and "being in a playful mood" before the crash that claimed 14 lives. Gautam Gupta, who lost his aunt in the incident, described the driver's reckless maneuvering, which ultimately led to the collision with the ferry carrying passengers to Elephanta Island. Gupta also disputed the Navy's claim of engine failure in the speedboat, saying the driver was seen zig-zagging through the water and appeared to be enjoying the attention before the collision. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about safety protocols and accountability.
'In my career, I have never witnessed such an incident'
The popular island just off the coast of Mumbai has a lot more to offer than you know.
First person account: To say the entire stretch is ripe for a stampede is putting it mildly.
One person died and 20 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute beach in North Goa on Wednesday, police said.
Following a fatal collision between a ferry and a Navy craft off the Mumbai coast, authorities have made life jackets mandatory for all passengers taking boat rides from the Gateway of India. The decision comes after survivors of the Wednesday tragedy claimed the ferry did not have enough life jackets. Some tourists, however, raised concerns about the effectiveness of life jackets if people don't know how to use them properly.
Naval boats have found the body of Johan Mohammad Nisar Ahmed Pathan, taking the toll in the December 18 tragedy to 15.
The two missing persons have been identified as 43-year-old Hansraj Bhati and seven-year-old Johan Mohammad Nisar Ahmed Pathan, the police said.
The search operation launched by naval boats to locate a seven-year-old boy missing after a Navy craft rammed into a ferry off the Mumbai coast two days ago continued on Friday, an official said.
Thirteen people died and 99 others were rescued after a Navy speed boat crashed into a ferry off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday afternoon. The ferry was on its way to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction near Mumbai. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Navy boat moving in circles at high speed before the collision. The Navy personnel in the craft died after his leg was cut in the accident. The ferry did not have enough life jackets for all the passengers.
A team of CISF marine commandos rescued dozens of passengers from a sinking tourist ferry off the Mumbai coast, preventing panicked parents from throwing their children into the sea. The commandos reached the accident site within minutes and prioritized rescuing children and other vulnerable passengers. They also administered CPR to several victims and helped recover belongings from the water.
Two passengers died and 75 others were rescued after a speed boat crashed into a ferry off the Mumbai coast. The ferry, carrying 80 passengers and five crew members, was on its way to Elephanta Islands when the speed boat circled it before crashing into it. The Navy and Coast Guard launched a massive rescue operation, with 11 Navy boats, three Marine Police boats, and a Coast Guard boat deployed. Four helicopters were also involved in the search and rescue operation. Police, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority personnel, and local fishermen are assisting in the rescue efforts. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that seven to eight passengers remain missing.
'Women and children were crying desperately for help.' 'We had to save them first.'
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India offers travel adventures no other country can offer.
Why Mumbai teen Maleesha Kharwa needs to be on your style radar.
The Mandapeshwar Caves in Borivli, north west Mumbai, located about five minutes away from the Western Express Highway, is one of the city's hidden treasures.
The textile ministry had organised a show at Elephanta Caves in Mumbai to promote the artisans and revive arts and culture.
Ajmer-born model and entrepreneur Rushali Yadav talks about her fashion journey.
Thackeray was speaking virtually after the inauguration of a water taxi service, linking Navi Mumbai to south Mumbai, and the Belapur jetty in the neighbouring township.
Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com visited Jogeshwari caves and returned with some amazing stories
These 19th-century Victorian Gothic buildings lie to the east of the Oval Maidan in Mumbai.
US president Barack Obama's visit to Mumbai is not good news for many section of Mumbaikars whose livelihoods have been affected by stringent security arrangements. Operations of about 80 ferry launches that ply from Gateway of India have been suspended for three days.
For most of us, the abject terror of a month ago in Mumbai is difficult to understand. But, as we seek answers and action, I believe we cannot stop looking at the good amongst us. The good in Mumbai, which I learnt as a 20-year-old, was that Mumbai is for all and does not delineate by any thread that separates us. And thus, my respite comes by not visiting just my temple but by everyone else's.
India's multiplex bandwagon has gone beyond the metros to redefine entertainment in B and C class towns. Check it out.
Readers share their summer photos, you can share yours too!
This is the second such site in Mumbai (besides Elephanta Caves) and 25th in Asia being put under the World Heritage list.
The Supreme Court had last week stayed a Bombay high court order and allowed Maharashtra government to hold the event at the Chowpatty.
In January 2015, 25,023 tourists arrived by availing the scheme.
'The Statue of Unity is wasteful expenditure, but engineering-wise they have chosen the right place and correct spot. It is a simple statue and well executed.' 'Here, the government has chosen a wrong spot. They have chosen a wrong design.' 'The Shivaji Maharaj statue is holding a sword and the length of that sword is 48 metres, which is equivalent to a 16-storey building!'
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