Eknath Shinde's Flight Delay Raises Security Concerns

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde encountered a significant flight delay when his pilot refused to fly after reaching duty hour limits, raising questions about security measures for high-ranking officials. The incident occurred after Shinde attended the 'Palkhi Yatra' in Muktainagar. Following intervention from two Cabinet Ministers, the pilot was persuaded to take off, allowing Shinde to return to Mumbai. Additionally, Shinde inaugurated the Samruddhi Mahamarg, a highway project expected to drastically reduce travel time and benefit farmers transporting goods to the financial capital.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2025, 17:07 IST

Flight Delay Incident

On Saturday, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde experienced a nearly hour-long delay while returning from Jalgaon to Mumbai due to his pilot's refusal to fly. The pilot reportedly stated that he had reached the end of his duty hours, sparking discussions about the security protocols for a Deputy Chief Minister.

Details of the Incident

Reports indicate that the pilot had already been operating the aircraft for over 12 hours before the incident occurred.

Participation in Palkhi Yatra

Shinde had attended the 'Palkhi Yatra' of Saint Muktai in Muktainagar, accompanied by two Cabinet Ministers, Girish Mahajan and Gulabrao Patil.

Pilot's Duty Hours

Upon returning to the airport for his flight back to Mumbai, the pilot declined to take off, citing the completion of his duty hours. He mentioned that he would require new authorization from the company, which would take additional time.

Ministers' Intervention

Sources revealed that the two ministers managed to persuade the pilot to proceed with the flight. Subsequently, the necessary clearance for departure was obtained, allowing Shinde to return to Mumbai.

Inauguration of Samruddhi Mahamarg

On June 5, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, describing it as a 'game changer' that would significantly cut travel time from 18 hours to just eight hours.

Benefits of the New Highway

During a press conference, Shinde emphasized that the highway would not only save time but also reduce fuel consumption, benefiting the general public. He noted that the final phase of this challenging project was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and would greatly assist farmers traveling from Nagpur to Mumbai with their goods.