Railways to run 100 special trains for Simhastha in Ujjain
Indore: Railway Board chairman Satish Kumar on Tuesday said that around 100 special trains will be operated to accommodate about one crore devotees who are expected to attend Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in Ujjain in 2028.
"Around 20 lakh people visited Ujjain by train during the last Simhastha Mela in 2016. In 2028, this number is expected to increase five times to around one crore. In view of this, we will run 100 special trains in addition to regular trains," Kumar, who was here to inspect development works being carried out by the railways, told reporters.
The railways is in the process of strengthening train stations in adjoining areas like Indore, Mhow, and Laxmibai Nagar to facilitate the influx of pilgrims, he said adding that holding areas are also being created to facilitate pilgrims to rest.
You Can Also Check:
Indore AQI
|
Weather in Indore
|
Bank Holidays in Indore
|
Public Holidays in Indore
Highlighting the key infrastructure upgrades, the Railway Board chairman said as many as 22 new tracks are being laid at Ujjain and nearby railway stations to park trains. Kumar inspected Indore railway station and reviewed various projects of Ratlam railway division.
He said a 132-km-long railway line will be laid in this financial year under Indore-Dahod project, out of which the laying of a 32-km-long line is completed. The entire track of 205 km may be extended to three years due to difficult terrain. Kumar said a seven-storey new building is being constructed on the lines of airport complexes at the Indore railway station. The building will be equipped with advanced facilities for the passengers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Tax-free salary, easy visa: Why 800,000+ Indians live and work in Qatar
As Iran launched a military strike on a US base in Qatar on June 24, 2025, the Indian government said it was monitoring the situation closely. The Indian embassy in Doha issued a safety advisory for its citizens, asking them to stay indoors and follow local guidance. 'In view of the ongoing situation, the Indian community in Qatar is urged to be cautious and remain indoors. Please remain calm and follow local news, instructions and guidance provided by Qatari authorities,' the embassy said. Qatar is home to over 800,000 Indians — the largest expatriate group in the country — and is a long-standing destination for those seeking work and higher earnings abroad. But what makes Qatar so attractive to Indian workers? Mayank Kumar, co-founder and CEO of BorderPlus, a talent mobility platform, told Business Standard that Qatar remains an attractive destination for several reasons. 'Qatar continues to be an attractive destination for Indian professionals, particularly because of the combination of high, tax-free earnings and lower barriers to entry compared to Western markets,' said Kumar. He added that typical monthly incomes for Indian professionals range from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh, and with no income tax, the savings potential is much higher than in India and often comparable to countries like the UK or Germany. Kumar said licensing and visa procedures in sectors like construction and healthcare are relatively straightforward, with fewer language hurdles, which makes it easier for professionals to move. 'Geographical proximity, a large Indian community, and familiar cultural norms help new migrants settle in quickly. There's a built-in support system,' he said. Jobs Indians take up in Qatar Indian nationals in Qatar are employed across both white- and blue-collar roles. According to Kumar: • Construction and infrastructure projects continue to absorb large numbers of Indian workers • Hospitals in the public and private sectors hire doctors, nurses and allied health professionals • Oil and gas companies, retail chains, IT firms, schools, and hospitality businesses also depend on Indian talent 'Service roles in hospitality, retail, and domestic work remain vital to Qatar's economy and are often filled by experienced Indian workers,' he said. Indian presence in education and business in Qatar Official figures show that: • Over 60,000 Indian students are enrolled in 19 Indian curriculum schools and a few international schools in Qatar • Around 4,500 Indian nationals work as teachers or non-teaching staff in these schools • More than 20,000 Indian-owned or partnered firms operate across infrastructure, energy, communications, and tech • Indian companies have invested more than $350 million in Qatar between 2017 and 2025, according to Invest Qatar Large Indian firms with a presence in the country include L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Wipro, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Lulu Group, Malabar, and Tanishq. Longstanding ties and reforms draw workers 'India and Qatar share deep, longstanding ties, socially, culturally, and economically, with the Indian workforce playing a vital role in Qatar's development,' said Kumar. He noted that Qatar has introduced reforms over the past few years, including: > Removing the requirement for exit permits and no-objection certificates > Setting a non-discriminatory minimum wage > Strengthening labour protections Kumar added, 'As Qatar undergoes rapid growth and diversification, it faces a growing demand for skilled, job-ready professionals. India, with its vast pool of qualified workers, is well positioned to help address this gap.' Impact of regional tensions on Indian migrants On whether the current tensions are affecting long-term plans, Kumar said most Indians still view Qatar as a stable option. 'While current geopolitical tensions may have a short-term impact, Qatar will continue to be a strong destination for Indian professionals in the long run. With steady demand for skilled workers and close India-Qatar ties, it offers promising opportunities for those looking to build careers abroad.'
Hans India
10 hours ago
- Hans India
Rail users in Mangaluru seek swift action on long-pending demands
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Railway Passengers' Committee has urged the Southern Railway's Palakkad Division and the Railway Board to expedite action on a series of service and infrastructure-related demands concerning Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Responding to the committee's representation, the Palakkad Division confirmed that Mangaluru Central already has operational facilities for the maintenance of modern LHB coaches. However, it cited infrastructural limitations in addressing the wide gap between platforms and tracks, noting that yard remodelling would be required for any permanent solution. The Committee also pushed for prioritising the recruitment of local staff conversant in Kannada and Tulu for IRCTC stalls at the station. While officials noted that such contracts are awarded through a centralised tendering process, they assured that contractors would be advised to give preference to local-language speakers where possible. Development works at both Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction are currently underway. The committee's request for establishing an IRCTC lounge at Mangaluru Central has been forwarded to relevant authorities. On the issue of upgrading key trains like the West Coast Express, Maveli Express, Malabar Express, and Mangaluru–Chennai Mail to LHB coaches, the division clarified that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Board and would be presented for consideration. Given the intensity of the ongoing monsoon in coastal Karnataka, the committee emphasised the need to expedite the extension of platform shelters. Officials responded that shelter extensions would be undertaken based on necessity. Meanwhile, the proposed Mangaluru–Rameswaram train service has received Railway Board approval and is now awaiting final operational orders from the Southern Railway's headquarters. Another key proposal, the resumption of the Navajeevan Express via the Hassan–Miraj–Pune route, is still pending with the Railway Board. The Southern Railway has been urged to take this forward at the earliest. The request for additional coaches on the Mangaluru Central–Subrahmanya Road passenger train has been acknowledged and will be reviewed based on passenger footfall. Expressing thanks for the official responses, the committee reiterated its demand for time-bound action on these proposals, stressing their importance for enhancing passenger experience and safety in one of Karnataka's busiest coastal rail corridors.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Railways to run 100 special trains for Simhastha in Ujjain
Indore: Railway Board chairman Satish Kumar on Tuesday said that around 100 special trains will be operated to accommodate about one crore devotees who are expected to attend Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in Ujjain in 2028. "Around 20 lakh people visited Ujjain by train during the last Simhastha Mela in 2016. In 2028, this number is expected to increase five times to around one crore. In view of this, we will run 100 special trains in addition to regular trains," Kumar, who was here to inspect development works being carried out by the railways, told reporters. The railways is in the process of strengthening train stations in adjoining areas like Indore, Mhow, and Laxmibai Nagar to facilitate the influx of pilgrims, he said adding that holding areas are also being created to facilitate pilgrims to rest. You Can Also Check: Indore AQI | Weather in Indore | Bank Holidays in Indore | Public Holidays in Indore Highlighting the key infrastructure upgrades, the Railway Board chairman said as many as 22 new tracks are being laid at Ujjain and nearby railway stations to park trains. Kumar inspected Indore railway station and reviewed various projects of Ratlam railway division. He said a 132-km-long railway line will be laid in this financial year under Indore-Dahod project, out of which the laying of a 32-km-long line is completed. The entire track of 205 km may be extended to three years due to difficult terrain. Kumar said a seven-storey new building is being constructed on the lines of airport complexes at the Indore railway station. The building will be equipped with advanced facilities for the passengers.
