'Will Shape India's Future as a Developed Nation': Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan
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Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
PM inaugurates Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express, travel time comes down to 12 hours
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express by flagging it off through video conferencing. The ceremony was organised at Platform No 8 of the Central Railway Station in Mumbai in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari. MLAs Mohan Mate, Krishna Khopde, Praveen Datke, Central Railway General Manager Dharmveer Meena, Divisional Railway Manager Vinayak Garg, and other Central Railway officials were also present on the occasion. The Prime Minister flagged off the Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune train through video conferencing. At the same event, he also inaugurated the Bengaluru–Belagavi and Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express trains. The Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune Vande Bharat Express will make it possible to cover the distance from Nagpur to Pune in about 12 hours, thus saving considerable travel time compared to earlier. On its journey from Nagpur to Pune, the Ajni–Pune Vande Bharat Express will halt at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar and Daund stations, before reaching Pune via the Daund chord line.
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India has set an example in lion conservation: Bhupender Yadav
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday (August 10, 2025) said the rise in the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat reflected India's intimate relationship with nature and wildlife. 'India has given a commitment to the world to work for nature's conservation through the rehabilitation of wildlife,' Mr. Yadav said at a World Lion Day function in Timbdi village under the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. As per the census conducted in May this year, the estimated population of Asiatic lion has increased to 891 from 674 five years ago. 'The growth of India's lion population since 1889 (when the last Asiatic lions were seen) shows our intimate relationship with nature and wildlife,' Mr. Yadav said. He said the resolution made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year to boost Gujarat's lion population and develop the Barda Sanctuary as a new habitat had been fulfilled. Conservation efforts Mr. Yadav said climate change had brought challenges such as heavy rain and cyclones. To address these, Mr. Modi had initiated global efforts such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance. 'In addition, the International Big Cat Alliance has been established. Conservation work has been undertaken for five of the seven big cat species found in India. Asiatic lions are only found in India, and that too in Gir, and Gujarat gets 100% of the pride for their conservation,' he said. The Minister praised the unique bond between the pastoralist Maldhari community and lions as a model of coexistence. 'If one wants to see the example of wildlife conservation, they should visit Gir, observe the work of the State government, and witness the lifestyle of the Maldhari and other local communities,' he said. Mr. Yadav said the number of tiger reserves in India had risen to 58 from 47 during Mr. Modi's tenure, and they host 70% of the global tiger population. Snow leopard conservation efforts continue, with their population in India currently at 714. On cheetah reintroduction, he said, 'Bringing African cheetahs to India was a challenge, but we successfully rehabilitated them.' He also mentioned ongoing projects such as Project Lion, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Dolphin, and Project Great Indian Bustard, which are reinforcing India's conservation leadership. Mr. Yadav said two more species of big cats — jaguar and puma — are found in Latin America, and quoted Mr. Modi's call for global cooperation in conserving all seven big cat species found across 97 countries, especially in Africa and Asia, through knowledge sharing, artificial intelligence, and technology. CM launches projects On the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched 11 eco-development projects worth ₹189 crore, including a new safari park, interpretation centre, and breeding centre at Barda. Expressing joy that after a gap of 143 years, lions had naturally begun re-inhabiting the Barda hills, he said Mr. Modi had announced all necessary support facilities for lion conservation in the area. 'Due to the PM's vision and the proactive work of the forest department, the successful conservation story of Gir's lions has gained global recognition. To ensure that the glory of our Vanraj (Lion King) remains intact and continues to grow, 'Project Lion' was launched, covering lion habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-animal conflict mitigation, cooperation with local communities, tourism development, scientific research and training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation,' he said.
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar seeks ₹1.5 lakh crore Central aid for upgrading Bengaluru infrastructure
Amid the much-awaited inauguration of Namma Metro's Yellow Line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Bengaluru Development Minister, has made a pitch for massive Central assistance to overhaul the city's infrastructure. In a formal letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Shivakumar requested funding to the tune of ₹1.5 lakh crore for a series of large-scale, high-priority projects. Emphasising Bengaluru's role as India's technology capital and the nation's second-largest tax contributor, he pointed out to the urgent need to address mounting urban pressures, such as severe traffic congestion, depleting water resources, and inadequate waste management systems. A major component of the proposal is the creation of five semi-high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, modelled on the Delhi–Meerut 'Namo Bharat' network. The suggested routes include Bengaluru–Bidadi–Mysuru, Bengaluru–Harohalli–Kanakapura, Bengaluru–Nelamangala–Tumakuru, Bengaluru–Airport–Chickballapur, and Bengaluru–Hoskote–Kolar. Other big-ticket initiatives outlined in the letter include the construction of two urban tunnels and elevated corridors along former national highways at a cost of ₹41,780 crore, development of arterial road corridors at ₹15,000 crore, the long-pending Peripheral Ring Road project at ₹27,000 crore, and four integrated solid waste management plants at ₹3,200 crore. The State also plans to expand the Namma Metro network by an additional 128 km under Phases 3 and 3A, introducing five new corridors. Further, it has proposed the creation of more than 40 km of double-decker elevated roads similar to the Silk Board–Ragigudda stretch on routes, such as J.P. Nagar–Hebbal and Hosahalli–Kadabagere, at a cost of ₹8,916 crore. Additional demands include building 300 km of roads along stormwater drains at a cost of ₹3,000 crore and implementing the sixth stage of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme at ₹6,939 crore. Mr. Shivakumar appealed to the Centre to extend funding on par with the support provided to Delhi, arguing that such assistance is crucial to ensuring sustainable growth, enhancing Bengaluru's liveability, and maintaining its global competitiveness. 'We request the Union government to extend funding support to Bengaluru on par with Delhi, enabling the city to emerge as a global city,' he stated in the letter.
