Wings clipped! Big coronavirus decision by Modi government - All you need to know

In a major development in the view of rising number of coronavirus cases, Modi government has taken a big decision on aviation sector. As per a latest development, no domestic commercial passenger flight will be allowed to operate in the country from March 25, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The decision has been taken in order to restrict travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The operations of domestic schedule commercial airlines shall cease with effect from the midnight that is 23.59 hours IST (Indian Standard Time) on March 24, 2020," a ministry spokesperson said.  "Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destinations before 23.59 hours on March 24, 2020," the spokesperson added.

India has already banned international flights for a week from Sunday.

However, the spokesperson clarified that the restrictions would not apply to cargo flights.

Earlier during the day, aviation regulator DGCA had clarified on Twitter that all cargo flights -- domestic and international -- can operate as usual. 

On Sunday, all inter-state buses, passenger trains and metro services were suspended across the country till March 31 while 75 districts where coronavirus cases were reported completely locked down as authorities undertook extraordinary measures to check the spread of the disease

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting of chief secretaries of all states and the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary to the prime minister, officials said on Sunday.