IRCTC Q4 Results: Net profit rises 26% to ₹358 crore, revenue up 10% YoY; Dividend declared
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Published 28 May 2025, 08:27 PM IST Vande Bharat Express train's passengers cross railway tracks upon their arrival at the Delhi Cantt station in New Delhi on June 5, 2023. Indian Railways, the world's fourth-largest rail network has launched a $30 billion infrastructure modernisation in a bid to boost the economy and connectivity, lest an average of 20,000 people died each year between 2017 and 2021 in rail accidents -- collisions, derailments -- according to official records. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)(AFP)
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India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
ENG vs WI: England players arrive on cycles; WI team bus delayed due to London traffic
The start of the third One-Day International between England and the West Indies at The Oval was delayed on Tuesday due to an unexpected traffic jam that held up the visiting team's arrival. On the other hand, some England players rode Lime rental bikes to the venue, navigating the congested London streets on two England entered the final ODI with a 2–0 lead and the chance to complete a clean sweep, the build-up to the match took an unusual turn. With the West Indies team stuck north of the river in heavy traffic, several England squad members took matters into their own hands — or rather, onto their handlebars—pedaling to the ground to avoid similar at the ground in styleOnly one way to beat the road closures in London England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 3, 2025advertisementThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement ahead of the toss: 'Due to a delayed arrival of one of the playing teams, who are stuck in heavy traffic north of the river, the scheduled start of play will be delayed. Once all members of the playing teams arrive, the match officials will coordinate updated timings and discuss any impact on the schedule of play. We will update spectators with the schedule of play as soon as we are able to.' The delay meant West Indies could not warm up or train in the nets before the toss. They confirmed their late arrival on X (formerly Twitter), posting:'Due to heavy traffic delays, our team arrived moments before the previously scheduled toss time.'Meanwhile, live visuals showed England players kicking a football around to stay loose. West Indies players remained in the dressing room upon arrival. As a precaution, the pitch and square were kept under cover, despite no rain at the toss, originally slated for 12:30 PM local time (5:00 PM IST), was pushed to 1:10 PM (5:40 PM IST), with the match set to begin at 1:30 PM (6:00 PM IST), assuming weather remains cooperative. No overs are expected to be having secured convincing wins in Birmingham and Cardiff, are eyeing a 3–0 series triumph. The West Indies will look to finish the ODI leg on a high before the three-match T20I series begins on Friday.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Saudi Readies For "Worst Case Scenario" In Sweltering Hajj
Mecca: Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that "the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat". Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Increased capacity - Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, "heat doesn't bother me". "I have been working in the fields since I was a child," he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. "As you can see, we're dripping with sweat," he said, adding: "The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain." According to Asiri, of the health ministry, a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. "That's why we are doing all of these measures," he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. 'Challenge' - To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. "Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun," he said. "You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain," he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, "and it's very risky from a health point of view". Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre (2.5-mile) pathway leading to Arafat. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest ever recorded. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there "extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) -- it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon". "We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
This Region Just Got 6 Vande Bharat Trains: And It's Changing How India Travels
Last Updated: Six high-speed trains, one game-changing shift, this region is now at the heart of India's rail revolution. Odisha has joined the growing list of Indian states expanding their semi-high-speed rail infrastructure, with six Vande Bharat Express trains now serving key routes across and beyond the state. These state-of-the-art trains, operated and maintained by the Western Railway zone, are set to transform the travel experience in the region with faster journeys, enhanced comfort, and improved efficiency. Among the key services is the Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, which covers a distance of 504 kilometres, linking the coastal pilgrim city with Odisha's industrial hub. The Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam train connects the state capital to Andhra Pradesh's scenic coast, further boosting interstate connectivity. Other vital routes include Brahmapur–Tatanagar, Rourkela–Howrah, Raipur–Visakhapatnam, and Berhampur–Tatanagar, effectively knitting together important urban centres across Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. The addition of these trains marks a significant milestone in Odisha's transport evolution. With reduced travel time and modern amenities, cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, and Berhampur are now more accessible than ever before. This surge in high-speed rail expansion isn't limited to Odisha. Across the country, Indian Railways is fast-tracking the rollout of Vande Bharat Express trains. Recently, a new service was launched between Sabarmati and Veraval in Gujarat, while September 2024 saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flag off six new routes, including Tatanagar–Patna, Brahmapur–Tatanagar, Rourkela–Howrah, Deoghar–Varanasi, Bhagalpur–Howrah, and Gaya–Howrah. Looking ahead, the Ministry of Railways is exploring additional corridors for these premium trains. One proposed service will link Vijayawada to Bengaluru via Tirupati, covering approximately 713 km in just nine hours. The latest Vande Bharat 2.0 trains come equipped with upgraded features such as faster acceleration, onboard WiFi, the Kavach safety system, and an anti-virus air filtration mechanism—demonstrating a leap in passenger safety and technological innovation. According to the ministry, 'Vande Bharat Express services represent a transformative shift in Indian travel, combining speed, safety, and service excellence. They reflect the strength of the 'Make in India' initiative and set new global benchmarks in railway innovation." With every new route, Indian Railways continues to redefine domestic travel—bringing cities closer, reducing carbon footprints, and paving the way for a faster, more connected India. First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:56 IST
