AIADMK MLA stages protest over poor condition of Gudalur bus stand; authorities promise repairs in 15 days
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Metro to charge extra for oversized luggage
Kolkata: Metro Railway will allow passengers to carry suitcases — mostly within standard size limits — from all stations in its network to the airport station. However, those carrying large or oversized luggage will have to pay extra, senior officials said. "We don't want to ruin anybody's journey. People headed to catch a flight usually don't carry multiple suitcases or bags if they choose to travel on the metro to the airport. No one will be stopped in any of the stations across the three corridors (Blue, Green, and Yellow Lines) if they are riding to or from the airport metro station. The idea is to make their journeys seamless," a senior official of Metro, which runs the city's rapid transit network, told TOI, adding that if someone has multiple bags or oversized baggage, he or she will be charged a fee. Officials explained that the eight-car rakes used in Kolkata Metro don't have dedicated storage space like those operating in underground transit systems or semi-speed corridors abroad. The luggage fee will be charged to dissuade people from trooping in with extra and oversized suitcases, they said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Two days ago, a Bengaluru commuter raised questions over Namma Metro's policy of charging him for oversized luggage, claiming he was asked to pay Rs 30 for carrying a suitcase during his ride. The post, shared on X, sparked a wider discussion on whether the fee is justified. Metro Railway officials said passengers carrying one or two suitcases of the usual sizes (around 18 by 24 inches) would be given a pass after scanning. Fees would be clamped only on those carrying more. "We are still working on the nitty-gritty of charges, based on the number and sizes of the luggage being carried. We shall have to watch commuter behaviour for a few days before fixing the rules," a senior Metro official said. Metro Railway slackened its luggage rules last year when East-West Metro's Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section was opened. Metro Railway general manager P Uday Kumar Reddy had then said that the rules were being changed for the sake of passengers alighting from trains at Howrah station. Most domestic airlines allow flyers to carry suitcases up to 15 kg as checked-in luggage and up to 7 kg as cabin baggage. Trains, too, have a luggage weight limit, but it's seldom enforced. Earlier, security personnel at metro stations would bar passengers from carrying suitcases on trains. The "prohibition" has been gradually lifted, even though there was no official announcement. With the airport-metro launch, Kolkata will join Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, and Chennai, where domestic flyers may avoid expensive cabs to travel to the airport. They can zip between Esplanade and Airport stations in 30 minutes for just Rs 50. Tickets from the airport metro station to those between Chandni Chowk and Tollygunge will cost Rs 40, and to those between Kudghat and Sahid Khudiram stations, Rs 45. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
55-foot trishul & damru to add spiritual charm to Vizag's Kailasagiri
Visakhapatnam: The Kailasagiri hilltop park in Visakhapatnam will soon feature a new 55-foot Trishul. The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) launched the works of the project, estimated at Rs 1.5 crore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Inspired by the symbols of Lord Shiva, this new addition is expected to bring a fresh spiritual and cultural charm to the popular tourist destination of Visakhapatnam. According to VMRDA officials, the project includes important symbols from Hindu mythology, made using modern engineering and design. The Trishul, which means divine power and protection, will be the main attraction. The Damaru, representing creation and the rhythm of the universe, will go alongside the Trishul, matching it in shape and meaning. Attracting nearly 10 lakh visitors annually, Kailasagiri is one of the prominent hilltop parks with panoramic sea views on the East Coast. Visitors can view the entire city of Visakhapatnam from the top of this eco-rich hill. Besides the sacred statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the hilltop offers many attractions such as the Titanic viewpoint, Shanku-Chakra Namas of Lord Venkateswara, a toy train, and a ropeway that transports visitors between the city and the hill. Regarding the background of the project, the VMRDA 'Authority', in its recent meeting, accorded administrative sanction for an amount of Rs 1.55 crore for the construction of the Trishul and Damaru at the top of Kailasagiri Hill Park. The project is located near the Hanumanthuwaka side of the park. The Trishul and Damaru will be designed with a mild steel frame structure wrapped in translucent fibre-reinforced plastic material and will feature built-in LED illumination. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The total height of the Trishul from ground level is 55 feet, with the Trishul measuring 25 feet by 22 feet and the Damaru measuring 10 feet by 18 feet. The project is expected to be completed within six months. VMRDA Chairman MV Pranav Gopal said that a Trishul with a Damaru, approximately 55 feet tall, is being constructed with a budget of Rs 1.55 crore to attract visitors to Visakhapatnam. "It is being set up on the Hanumanthuwaka side so that it is visible to everyone from the city. The largest glass bridge in the country, developed on Kailasagiri, will soon be accessible to the public as well," said Pranav. The hill park developed by VMRDA covers 380 acres of land and features landscaped gardens with rich flora and tropical trees. Situated at an altitude of 360 feet, the park offers views of the beach on one side and green forests on the other, along with a panoramic view of the city. Kailasagiri is a favourite tourist spot in the city.
Deccan Herald
9 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Shakti scheme creates world record for most women travelled
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday said the state's Shakti Yojana guarantee scheme has set a world record for the largest number of women passengers travelling on public transport. 'Between June 11, 2023 and July 20, 500 crore women passengers travelled on ticketed journeys,' said the minister. US-based Golden Book of World Record (GBWR) is an Exclusive International Book of Records that aims to give a platform to people or organisations to have their name in the 'golden pages of history'. The minister thanked Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporations for the historic achievement. 'The hard work, dedication and honest service of all the staff is commendable. The cooperation of the labour leaders cannot be forgotten as well,' he added. According to him, in the two years of Shakti Yojana, 5,800 new buses were added to the transport corporations, as well as 10,000 new recruitments were made. He also said the Karnataka government has pumped in Rs 2,000 crore to pay off loans. Reddy also cited 'Beyond Free Rides' Sustainable Mobility Network's study conducted on free bus travel for women in cities and said the number of female employees has increased by 23 per cent in Bengaluru and 21 per cent in Hubli-Dharwad due to Shakti Yojana. The minister said this has led to an increase in the per capita income of the state.
