Tag: Railways

India-Middle East-Europe modi announment g20

India-Middle East-Europe Mega Corridor Deal Announced

By LokMarg

India, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union on Saturday announced a historic agreement to soon launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement for the ambitious project on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and was flanked by US President US Biden, Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and leaders of the EU.

This is a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the US.

Speaking after the launch, PM Modi said, “I cordially welcome you all at this event. I am very happy to co-chair this event with my friend President Joe Biden. Today we all have seen the conclusion of a historic and important agreement. In the coming days, it will be an effective medium of economic integration between India, South Asia, and Europe”.

Speaking at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Summit here, PM Modi said the mega-deal will give a sustainable direction to connectivity and sustainability across the world.

He also congratulated all the leaders who were part of the connectivity corridor.  

“Strong connectivity and infrastructure are the foundation of the development of human civilisation. India has given this issue utmost priority during its course of development. Along with physical infrastructure, unprecedented investments are being made in social, economic and financial infrastructure as well,” PM Modi said.

He added, “Through this, we are laying a strong foundation for a developed India. As a reliable partner, India has set up infrastructure projects in the field of railways, energy, and technology partnerships, among the nations of the Global South. We have laid special emphasis on a demand-driven and transparent approach”.

The Prime Minister further stressed respecting sovereignty and regional integrity and stated that connectivity between different countries not only increases business but also trust between them. 

“We believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between them. By promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophies, that is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations’ sovereignty and regional integrity,” PM Modi said. 

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region.

White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer had earlier said that “The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive”.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project.

“It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be” Finer added.

Finer termed this to-be-built project as “affirmative positive” aimed at serving the underserved.

“The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about the contrast of what we provide,” White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

Addressing the the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam US President Joe Biden said, “This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that’s the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, it’s also the focus of this partnership that we’re talking about today. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future…”

Speaking at the same forum, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said, “… We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor…”

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “… So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this road. And this is a very important project from Asia through Middle East to Europe to offer big opportunities and connect people.

“But our intention is as well to make it real and to be sure that after this commitment we have concrete results and especially to have the first global green trade road meaning having net zero transport infrastructure…” Macron said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “More large-scale projects are seeing the light…We are presenting two of them today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor…It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe…This is also the spirit of the second project we announce today the Trans African Corridor…” (ANI)

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G20 Railway Ports Connectivity

G20: US, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, EU Set To Unveil Railway, Ports Connectivity Deal

By LokMarg

A shipping and rail transportation corridor linking countries across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe is likely to be announced on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi, a White House official has said.

The United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other G20 partners are set to explore the shipping and rail transportation corridor, which is aimed at aiding in the flow of commerce, energy and data from India across the Middle East up to Europe.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be announced at a meeting focused on global infrastructure on the sidelines of the G20 today according to White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

The leaders are meeting to discuss the global economy and supply chain challenges, among other issues facing the global community.

This agreement after it is inked could be seen as an alternate supply chain in a completely evolved post-pandemic world order.

Finer added that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will meet with other leaders for an event focused on global infrastructure later today.

“The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally, because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive,” Finer told mediapersons here.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project.

“It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be” Finer added.

Finer termed this to-be-built project as “affirmative positive” aimed at serving the underserved.

“The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about contrast of what we provide,” White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region. (ANI)

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Jaya Verma Sinha

Jaya Verma Sinha Becomes First Female Chairman, CEO Of Indian Railways

By LokMarg

In a historic move, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has granted approval for the appointment of Jaya Verma Sinha, a seasoned member of the Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS), as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.

This appointment signifies a pivotal juncture in the 166-year history of the Indian Railways, as Jaya Verma Sinha takes on the mantle of CEO, becoming the first woman to hold this esteemed position.

Sinha joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1988. She is currently serving as a Member, of Operations and Business Development, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways. Sinha is responsible for the overall transportation of freight and passenger services on Indian Railways.

Prior to the current assignment, she was an Additional Member, of the Traffic Transportation, Railway Board. In the last 2 years, Indian Railways has registered an all-time high growth of over 20 per cent in the freight segment and has broken the mark of 1.5 billion tonnes annually in freight.

In her career of over 35 years in Indian Railways, she has worked on diverse verticals spanning operations, commercial, IT and vigilance. She was also the first woman to be appointed as the Principal Chief Operations Manager of South Eastern Railway. She has also been Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah Division. She had worked as the Railway Advisor in the High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh during which the famous Maitri Express from Kolkata to Dhaka was inaugurated.

With a distinguished career within the Indian Railways, Sinha has demonstrated exemplary leadership and expertise in the realm of Operations and Business Development. Her elevation to the coveted position of Chairman and CEO, of the Railway Board, underscores her remarkable contributions and dedication to the development of the railway sector.

Jaya Verma Sinha’s appointment will be effective from the date of her assumption of charge on or after September 1, 2023. She will hold this esteemed position until her superannuation, with an additional re-employment period from October 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. This significant announcement is accompanied by the assurance that her term will adhere to the standard terms and conditions, or until further orders, whichever transpires earlier.

Established in 1905, the Railway Board, a key institution within the Indian Railways, has been functioning for over 118 years. Sinha’s ascent to the role of Chairman and CEO marks the first instance in its history that a woman has held this pivotal position. Her appointment reflects not only her exceptional capabilities but also the increasing recognition of gender diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles within India’s railways.

As Jaya Verma Sinha prepares to take on this historic responsibility, the railway community at large eagerly anticipates the positive transformations and progressive strides that her leadership is poised to bring to one of India’s oldest and most vital sectors. (ANI)

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Vande Bharat trains

Vande Bharat Trains To Cover Entire Country By June: Minister

By LokMarg

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that Vande Bharat trains will start covering all the states by June.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the Railway Minister said that they have a target to connect 200 cities with the Vande Bharat train by the middle of the next year, adding that the production work is going at a fast pace.

He said, “Vande Bharat trains will start covering all the states by June. We have a target to connect 200 cities with Vande Bharat by the middle of next year. Production work is going at a fast pace for the implementation of the project.”

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off Goa’s first Vande Bharat Express from Madgaon railway station. PM Modi will join the flagging-off ceremony through video conferencing.

The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will improve the connectivity in the Mumbai – Goa route and provide the people of the region the means to travel with speed and comfort.

The train will be the 19th Vande Bharat train to run in the country.

The first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route.

The Vande Bharat Express can run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

In his address to the nation on August 15, 2021, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that during the 75 weeks of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every corner of the country.

In the Union Budget 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that four hundred new-generation Vande Bharat Trains will be manufactured during the next three years. (ANI)

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Modi To Flag New Vande Bharat Trains

Modi Flags Off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express from Secunderabad Railway Station here. The latest in the Vande Bharat trains will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three-and-a-half hours, particularly benefitting pilgrims of both the Telugu states.

This is the first Vande Bharat Express Secunderabad to tirupati connecting India– a city in Andhra Pradesh which is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples. This is India’s 13th Vande Bharat Express which will run between Secunderabad in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati.
The new semi-high speed train connects the IT city Hyderabad with Tirupati. This is the second Vande Bharat train to start from Telangana within three months.

Earlier in January, PM Modi had flagged off India’s eighth Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam.

The inauguration of the train on the new route comes one week after the Prime Minister flagged off the latest Vande Bharat on the Bhopal-New Delhi route.

The Secunderabad Tirupati Vande Bharat Express has stops at Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole, and Nellore stations while it covers its 660 km journey between the cities.

The train will cut the commuting time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours. Besides, it takes less than a minute or 52 seconds for the train to touch at a speed of 100 kmph.

The new Vande Bharat Express is equipped with CCTV cameras, power backup, GPS-based information systems and vacuum toilets.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station.

The train will make travel seamless for those visiting the spiritual city of Tirupati from Hyderabad.

The Vande Bharat Secunderabad to Tirupati will depart at 6 am and reach the destination (Tirupati) at 2:30 pm. The train will cover the whole distance in 8 hours and 30 minutes, which is much less as compared to the 12 hours taken by most of the existing services.

It is pertinent to note that Vande Bharat Train is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high speed and self-propelled train set. The train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. It will provide a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience to rail users.

Vande Bharat 2.0 is equipped with more advancements and improved features such as reaching a speed of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 52 seconds, whereas, the time to reach 160 kmph is 129 seconds and a maximum speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour.

The improved Vande Bharat Express will weigh 392 tons when compared to the previous version of 430 tons. It will also have a Wi-Fi content on-demand facility. Every coach has 32 screens providing passenger information and infotainment compared to 24 in the previous version.

Vande Bharat Express will also be environmentally friendly as the ACs will be 15 per cent more energy efficient. With dust-free clean air cooling of the traction motor, travel will become more comfortable. A side recliner seat facility provided only to Executive Class passengers earlier will now be made available for all classes. Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats.

In the new design of Vande Bharat Express, a photo-catalytic ultraviolet air purification system is installed in the Roof-Mounted Package Unit (RMPU) for air purification. As recommended by Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, this system is designed and installed on both ends of RMPU to filter and clean the air free from germs, bacteria, viruses etc. coming through fresh air and return air.

The Vande Bharat Express 2.0 offers various superior and aircraft-like travelling experiences. It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System – KAVACH. (ANI)

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Thousands Can’t Be Uprooted Overnight: SC On Eviction In Haldwani

By LokMarg

Thousands can’t be uprooted overnight, the Supreme Court on Thursday said while putting a stay on the Uttarakhand High Court’s decision ordering the State authorities to remove encroachments from railway land in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka issued notices to the Indian Railways and Uttarakhand government on the pleas.
“There cannot be uprooting of 50,000 people overnight,” said the bench, adding that there has to be segregation of people who have no right on the land and the need for rehabilitation while recognizing the need for railways.

Noting that people are living there for decades, the bench said there should be measures for rehabilitation since the issue involves a human angle.

Posting the case for hearing on February 7, the bench said that it has put to the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that full rehabilitation of the persons in the area is needed.

“Issue notice. In the meantime, there shall be a stay of the directions passed in the impugned order. There should also restrain any more construction or development on the land,” said the bench in its order.

During the hearing, the apex court said, “What is troubling us is how do you deal with a situation where people bought the land in the auction and took possession after 1947 and acquired title. You (railways) may acquire the land but what to do now? People live for 60-70 years some rehabilitation has to be done. There must be a culmination to the issue and we do not encourage what is going on.”

ASG Bhati for Indian Railways said that this strip of land belongs to the railways. Their claim is that it is their land, they are not asking for rehabilitation.

The top court said that maybe all of them cannot be painted with the same brush, and there may be different categories. “But there are people for whom a human angle needs to be considered. Someone will have to examine their documents,” it added.

Bhati said that Kathgodam Railway station does not have any space for expansion and there are 4365 unauthorized occupants.

The Uttarakhand High Court had on December 20 ordered the removal of encroachments from railway land in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani after giving notice to the residents one week in advance.

Led by Congress MLA from Haldwani, Sumit Hridayesh, residents of the area approached the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the High Court’s order. Another petition was also filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan.

A total of 4,365 encroachments will be removed from the area. Those facing eviction have been living on the land for many decades.

Residents have been protesting against the removal of encroachments from railway land in compliance with a High Court order.

The petition highlighted that the petitioners are poor people who have been lawful residents of Mohalla Nai Basti, Haldwani district for more than 70 years.

The petition stated that the names of local residents are entered in the municipal records of the house tax register and that they have been paying house tax regularly for years.

There are five government schools, one hospital, and two overhead water tanks in the area. It is further stated that “the long settled physical possession of the petitioners and their ancestors, some even prior to the date of Indian independence, has been recognized by State and its agencies and they have been given gas and water connections and even Aadhaar card numbers accepting their residential addresses.” (ANI)

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Encroachers In Haldwani

Encroachers In Haldwani Will Be Removed Soon: Nainital DM

By LokMarg

Illegal occupants on encroachments near the railway station in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura will be removed in the coming days as per the order of the Honourable Supreme Court, said Nainital District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbiyal on Wednesday.

Stating that the preparations are in full swing, he said, “We have already made a demand for the required force. We have made the demand for magistrates and paramilitary forces as well. In the coming days, the occupants will be removed.”

The DM further said, “The occupants are on the land of the Railways. On the approx 70 acres of land, there are about 4365 illegal residents.”

“It is no more a matter of discussion because the order has come from the Supreme Court. We will have to remove the occupants as per the directions of the order. We may face a situation related to law and order for which we have demanded adequate force,” he added.

With the officials carrying out an inspection following an order of the Uttarakhand High Court against encroachments near Haldwani railway station, residents of Banbhulpura held a candle march on Tuesday to register their protest and press for their demands.

A congregational prayer ‘Ijtemai dua’ was performed in line number 17 Banbhulpura area of Haldwani in view of eviction notices being served on people. Thousands of children, women, and elders participated in the prayer “for relief”. (ANI)

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Droupadi Murmu Fiji NZ Timor-Leste

NE To Play Significant Role In Making India USD $5 Tril Economy By 2025: Murmu

By LokMarg

Asserting that India has become the 5th largest economy in the world, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that the North Eastern Region will play an important role in making India a five trillion dollar economy by 2025.

The President said that there is immense potential for development in the North-Eastern Region.
“Today, the development of the Region is getting a new impetus with various new projects of highways, railways, airways, and waterways. The North Eastern Region, including Tripura, will play an important role in making India a five trillion dollar economy by 2025. She expressed confidence that the aspirations, innovation, and entrepreneurship of the talented and hardworking people, especially the youth of Tripura, will play an important role in achieving this goal,” President said while inaugurating Tripura State Judicial Academy, President’s Secretariat release said.

She also laid the foundation stone for Tripura National Law University at Narsingarh, Agartala today.

The President virtually inaugurated an MLA Hostel at Capital Complex, Agartala, and laid foundation stones for Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum & Cultural Centre; IIIT-Agartala; and various projects of the Government of Tripura related to roads, schools, and hostels for students from Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan, Agartala.

Addressing the gathering at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan, the President said that projects inaugurated “will not only strengthen the connectivity, education, judiciary and legislature in Tripura but also boost the rich culture of the state.”

According to an official statement, President said that over the past three decades, NLUs have played a significant role in the field of law education. Today with the growth of the economy, the legal profession has also expanded in many dimensions. She expressed hope that NLU Tripura will emerge as a major center of legal education, not only in the Northeast but across the country.

The President said that the youth of India have made a unique identity in the field of Information Technology, all over the world. She was confident that the permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Agartala will set new benchmarks in the field of Information Technology.

Speaking at the event, President added that said that a holistic education system is essential for the development of the nation and the progress of our youth. Along with higher education, we should give more emphasis to primary education. She was happy to note that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, in association with the State Government of Tripura, has launched ‘Vidya-Jyoti Mission 100’ under which 100 existing higher secondary schools will be converted into quality education institutions with state-of-the-art facilities, it added. (ANI)

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Special Menu For Navratri

Railways Come Up With Special Menu For Navratri

By LokMarg

The Ministry of Railways on Sunday announced a special menu for devotees traveling by train during the Navratri.

The Railway Ministry made the announcement through a tweet. It said that this special order will be served from September 26 to October 5, and can be ordered from the ‘Food on Track’ app.
“During the auspicious festival of Navratri, Indian Railways brings to you a special menu to satiate your Vrat cravings, being served from September 26 to October 5. “Order the Navratri delicacies for your train journey from the ‘Food on Track’ app, visit catering.irctc.co.in or call on 1323,” the Railway Ministry said in the tweet.

The 9-day-long festival of Shardiya Navratri festival dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine avatars has begun today, marking the first day of the festivity (Kalash or Ghatsthapna). The festival is celebrated with much fervour all across the country by Hindus.

In India, Navratri is celebrated in a wide range of ways. Ramlila, a celebration in which scenes from the Ramayana are performed, is organised in North India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The burning of King Ravana’s effigies marks the conclusion of the story on Vijayadashami. (ANI)

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