Pakyong (Sikkim), Feb 28 : Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has acknowledged the need for better air connectivity to ensure economic development of remote areas like Sikkim.

Addressing a gathering after performing the Bhumi Pujan for proposed airport at Pakyong near Gangtok in Sikkim on Saturday, he said that air connectivity would facilitate transportation of tourist as well as agricultural and horticultural products of hill states to national and international markets.

Japanese Automobile major, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) expanded its range of alternate fuel vehicles by including the Innova CNG in its fold in India.

From now onwards the country’s most popular multipurpose vehicle, Innova will be available in CNG variant as well.

Kochi (Kerala), Feb. 28 : Defence Minister A. K. Antony and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, on Saturday strongly rebutted Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir's contention that the perpetrators of the November 26, 2008 terror attack on Mumbai did not use the sea route from Pakistan to reach India's financial capital.

Port Blair, Feb 28 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi will visit the Andaman islands of Car Nicobar and Cambell Bay where she will unveil a statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Indira Point.

Before leaving for New Delhi, Gandhi will also hand over the keys of permanent shelters to tsunami-affected persons near Car Nicobar Airport, re-emphasizing the UPA Government''s pledge to rehabilitate and improve the lives of people affected by natural calamites.

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) said that it has launched its much awaited third-generation (3G) services across 11 cities.

BSNL also said that the 3G services will permit users to experience enhanced communications such as rich voice, video and data services.

India's No. 4 mobile operator also said that it will expand 3G services to other regions in the country.

'26/11 terrorists didn't go by sea'

The Asif Ali Zardari-led civilian administration's failure to control Pakistan's defence establishment came to fore again on Friday with the navy chief contradicting the government and claiming the terrorists did not use the sea route in the 26/11 attack.

India rubbished the denial as another Pakistani flip-flop.

Pakistan has publicly admitted that the 10 terrorists, including Mohammed Ajmal Amir aka Kasab, the lone gunman to be captured alive, had set sail from Karachi. In fact, interior minister Rahman Malik had publicly given details of the boat used by the terrorists, admitting the strikes were partly plotted in Pakistan.