Activists urge PMO to increase frequency of 2 trains
Kolhapur: Activists from the
have appealed to the PMO, demanding that the
and
, which currently run once a week, should be operated daily.This demand is based on the high response from passengers and a long waiting list for the train throughout the year.As the Pune railway division and Central Railway did not respond to their demand, these activists wrote directly to the PMO.Satish Sakhalkar, from Sangli Zilla Nagrik Jagruti Manch, said, "When both these trains commenced around 20 years ago, the Pune-Sangli-Bengaluru route was a single track running on a diesel engine.
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As the capacity was less, these trains started once a week. But even when track doubling was done on the route by spending nearly 5 thousand crores, the frequency of trains wasn't increased by the Indian Railways."The electrification of the Pune-Bengaluru route resulted in an increase in train speed; therefore, several new trains can be commenced on this route."The Pune-Ernakulam Express train is running with old coaches, and many passengers complained about this. We requested the Prime Minister's Office to provide new LHB rakes to these trains," added Sakhalkar.
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First Post
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- First Post
What is the first 'Made-in-India' locomotive for export that PM Modi flagged off in Bihar?
PM Narendra Modi flagged off the first-ever 'Made-in-India' locomotive built for export to Africa's Guinea on Friday. As many as 150 state-of-the-art locomotives, valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crore, will be produced at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant in Bihar's Saran district and will be shipped over the next three years read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art diesel locomotive built in Bihar, set to be exported to the Republic of Guinea in West Africa, marking a major step forward for India's global manufacturing and export goals. The locomotives were produced at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant, located in Bihar's Saran district, and are being touted as a key achievement under the country's 'Make in India — Make for the World' initiative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi, who is on his fourth visit to Bihar ahead of the state elections, took the opportunity to launch the locomotive. He also laid the foundation for several development projects worth Rs 9,145 crore during his stop in Siwan. 'I returned from abroad only yesterday. During this visit, I spoke to the leaders of the world's prosperous countries. All the leaders are very impressed with India's rapid progress. They see India becoming the world's third-largest economic superpower. Bihar is going to play a crucial role in this…,' he said. Features of India's first-ever export locomotive According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the locomotive flagged off on Friday is the first export unit built at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant in Bihar's Saran district. #WATCH | Siwan, Bihar | Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant, for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the 'Make in India' initiative. This is the first export locomotive manufactured in this factory. They are… — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025 Speaking to ANI, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity (EDIP) at the Railway Board, explained that while the plant earlier manufactured locomotives solely for Indian Railways, an increase in capacity has now opened the doors to international exports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have received a big order from the Republic of Guinea, which requires standard-gauge locomotives. 150 locomotives will be sent to the Republic of Guinea over the next three years for their iron ore mine,' he said. Sandeep, Managing Director of Wabtec India, noted that the locomotives are a key part of Guinea's Simandou Project, considered one of the largest iron ore mining projects in the world. The project was awarded back in 2015, with Wabtec holding a 75 per cent equity stake and Indian Railways owning 25 per cent. Since production began, the plant has delivered 726 locomotives to Indian Railways, and now, 150 units valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crore will be shipped to Guinea. The release said the locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, an advanced AC propulsion system, microprocessor-based control systems, ergonomic cab designs, and incorporate technologies like regenerative braking. #WATCH | Bihar: PM Narendra Modi will flag off the first locomotive later today, which will be exported to the Republic of Guinea from the Locomotive Factory in Saran's Marhowrah. The locomotive factory in Marhowrah, Saran, is India's first Public-Private Partnership Project… — ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A senior Railways official, quoted by The Indian Express, called the moment a major milestone for the country: 'This moment marks a historic milestone. For the first time, a manufacturing unit based in Bihar is exporting heavy locomotive engines to the global market, firmly placing India on the map as a global railway manufacturing hub.' The official added that the success reflects India's push towards self-reliance and global competitiveness. This achievement echoes the vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, translating policy into tangible, global impact. With the slogan 'Make in Bihar – Make for the World', Saran is transforming from a small town to a symbol of India's manufacturing capability.' PM Modi's Bihar visit PM Modi kicked off his latest visit to Bihar from Siwan on Friday, where he inaugurated the Vaishali-Deoria railway line project, a major development worth over Rs 400 crore. He also flagged off a new Vande Bharat Express service, connecting Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This visit adds to a series of stops the Prime Minister has made in poll-bound Bihar this year. Earlier, he travelled to Bhagalpur, Madhubani, and Vikramganj (Rohtas) as part of his outreach across different regions of the state. A senior BJP leader told The Indian Express that more such visits are expected in the coming months. 'In election year, the PM has been travelling to every Bihar region, telling people about the central government's mega projects for the state. We are expecting more Bihar visits by the PM in the coming months.' With input from agencies
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
PM set to shower state with ₹9k-crore projects, address rally in Siwan today
1 2 Patna/Chhapra: Amid elaborate preparations and tight security, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is set to address a mega public meeting at Jasoli village in Siwan district on Friday, marking yet another high-profile visit to Bihar in the run-up to the state assembly elections scheduled for Oct-Nov this year. At the rally, Modi will launch and lay the foundation for 22 development projects worth Rs 9,519 crore, covering housing, railways, infrastructure and industrial growth. He will also flag off two major rail initiatives, the new Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express and India's first export-bound locomotive to the Republic of Guinea from the Marhaura rail factory. "This event reflects the PM's deep trust in CM Nitish Kumar's development model," said deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, adding that several high-value schemes are coming to the state due to this faith. "The PM will inaugurate 11 Amrit Bharat and four Namami Gange projects and the Vaishali-Deoria rail line," he added. The PM will also transfer the first instalment of PM Awas Yojana benefits to 53,666 beneficiaries and hand over keys to 6,684 urban poor families, securing their dream of a pucca house under the flagship housing scheme. To combat heat and monsoon showers, five massive German tents, each with a capacity of 60,000 people, have been erected at the rally site. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo BJP leader and health minister Mangal Pandey said the venue is expected to host nearly three lakh people. Among the standout projects the PM will launch is the inauguration of the Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express, which will drastically cut travel time between Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The eight-coach semi-high-speed train, equipped with modern amenities and a capacity of 1,130 passengers, will operate six days a week, reducing travel time between the two cities by nearly two hours. Commercial stops include Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah and Narkatiaganj, providing faster options for thousands of daily commuters. "This new service will enhance regional connectivity and boost economic activity," said Danapur DRM Jayant Kumar Choudhary, calling it a milestone under the Vande Bharat mission. Also in the spotlight is the first export consignment of locomotives from the Marhaura plant to Guinea. These state-of-the-art 4,500 HP engines, featuring high fuel efficiency and modern air-conditioned cabs, are manufactured by Wabtec Locomotive Pvt Ltd, a joint venture with Indian Railways. Officials noted that the plant, built on 70 acres, has already delivered 683 locomotives to Indian Railways and employs over 600 people. The new export order will see 150 more units produced, reinforcing Marhaura's revival as an industrial hub. Meanwhile, Siwan is under a virtual lockdown ahead of the PM's visit. Traffic restrictions are in place on NH-531 and NH-27, and all schools and Anganwadi centres have been ordered shut for the day due to expected congestion and extreme heat. "Safety and traffic management are paramount," said a senior district official. Seventeen parking zones have been set up in Jasoli Kharg and three more in Pachrukhi, while three helipads each have been prepared for the PM and CM. While NDA leaders hailed the visit, opposition voices struck a critical note. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha took to social media to question the blanket closure of educational institutions. "Is this an election tour or a governance initiative?" he asked, adding that banning educational activities for a political rally sets the wrong precedent. Choudhary dismissed such comments, calling them "cheap and frustrated reactions from the opposition" in the face of mounting public support for the BJP.
