The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has added 11 new entry points for foreign nationals holding e-visas, making it easier for international travellers to enter India through more airports and land ports.

The newly notified entry points include two airports and nine land ports. The airports are Bhopal and Tirupati, while the new land ports are Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Moreh and Attari (Road).

With this addition, the total number of international ports authorised for e-visa holders has increased to 88. These include 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports. The MHA said the move is part of its wider efforts to make India's visa system more liberal, simple and convenient while continuing to maintain security through improved technology and digital infrastructure.

The Ministry also highlighted the growing use of India's electronic visa system. Nearly 95% of e-visa applications are processed within 72 hours, while around 78% of all visas issued by India are now electronic visas. India introduced its e-visa facility in 2014 for citizens of 43 countries. Since then, the programme has expanded significantly and is now available to nationals of 172 countries.

The e-visa system currently covers 17 sub-categories across tourist, business, medical and student streams. It also includes transit, mountaineering, miscellaneous and group visitor visas for cruise travellers. The MHA said the latest expansion is part of its continued efforts to support legitimate foreign travel while maintaining strong security measures through technology-driven border management systems.

Maharashtra is moving ahead with plans to strengthen tourism infrastructure in the Vidarbha region, with the state government fast-tracking a proposed MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) project at Hatani and Valti in Buldhana and progressing plans for Jijau Srushti at Sindkhed Raja, the birthplace of Rajmata Jijau.

The projects were reviewed by Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, with officials asked to accelerate the planning and development process.

For the proposed MICE project, the Buldhana district administration has been directed to facilitate the transfer of required land to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Officials will also prepare the master plan, architectural design, Detailed Project Report (DPR) and cost estimates for the development.

The MICE project could help position Buldhana as an emerging destination for business events, conferences and corporate gatherings, while creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, event companies, transport providers and other hospitality businesses.

Meanwhile, the proposed Jijau Srushti at Sindkhed Raja is expected to strengthen the area's heritage and cultural tourism appeal. Sindkhed Raja is an important historical destination associated with Rajmata Jijau and could benefit from improved visitor infrastructure and tourism development.

Together, the two projects could help create a stronger tourism ecosystem in the region by combining business tourism, heritage, culture and hospitality.

The developments are also part of Maharashtra’s broader efforts to promote tourism beyond established destinations and encourage new investment in tourism infrastructure.

German carrier Lufthansa is open to resuming direct flights from Pune if market conditions support the move. The airline had earlier operated a direct Pune-Frankfurt service, which was discontinued in 2019.

The possibility of bringing the route back comes as the expansion of Pune airport is being fast-tracked. The proposed runway extension is expected to allow the airport to handle larger aircraft and support more international services. Lufthansa said it remains open to expanding its network in India, either through direct services or in partnership with Indian carriers.

“We are always open to expanding our network in India, whether through direct services or in partnership with Air India. Should market conditions evolve, our network planning team would evaluate opportunities for new international connections to an important IT hub and a city of more than seven million people. India is our second-largest premium market globally and we currently operate more than 80 weekly flights to the subcontinent,” said Jeffery James, the head of Lufthansa Group Communications for Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Lufthansa previously operated direct flights between Pune and Frankfurt six days a week. The service began in 2008, using a smaller aircraft wet-leased from PrivatAir. The route was discontinued in early 2019 after PrivatAir became insolvent. Pune airport's infrastructure, particularly its short runway, was also a limitation for expanding international operations. The proposed runway expansion could help address this challenge.

In 2024, Minister of state for civil aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol announced that around 300 acres would be acquired as part of the airport's overall expansion, including the runway extension. The land acquisition process is now being accelerated.

“Two weeks ago, I met the defence minister regarding the transfer of 35 acres that forms part of the total 300 acres required. By October or November, all aspects of the land acquisition for the airport expansion project should be on track. The acquisition has to be carried out by the state government and we are pursuing it aggressively,” Mohol said.

Pune airport currently has a 2,540-metre runway. Under the proposed expansion, the runway will be extended by 800 metres, with 500 metres added on the eastern side and 300 metres on the western side. The expansion is expected to improve the airport's ability to handle larger aircraft and support more international connectivity. Pune airport recently recorded a record 213 flight movements on Sunday, highlighting the growing demand for air connectivity in the city.

Aviation experts believe direct European connectivity will be important for Pune's continued economic growth. The city is a major hub for IT, automobile, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and education, with strong business, student and diaspora traffic to Europe, the UK and the US.

“Pune is a major IT, automobile, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and education hub with significant business, student and diaspora traffic to Europe, the UK and the US. Travellers currently spend three to four hours reaching Mumbai or transit through Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Dubai, adding cost, fatigue and the risk of missed connections. The airport authorities and governments must expedite the runway expansion to enable wide-body operations, ensure round-the-clock ATC, customs and immigration facilities, and secure bilateral slots,” said aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar.

Businessman and member of the Pune airport advisory committee Sudhir Mehta said, “A direct air link to Europe and other major global destinations would benefit industry, academia, tourism, healthcare and the wider community alike. It would enhance Pune's global competitiveness, attract investment and talent, and improve the quality of life for citizens who increasingly live, work and collaborate across borders.”