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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Railway Ministry permanently cancels ₹402 cr Mathura-Vrindavan project
The Railway Ministry has permanently closed its ambitious project for the conversion of the Mathura-Vrindavan railway line from metre gauge to broad gauge at an estimated cost of Rs 402 crore, terming it "uneconomical". The North Central Railway (NCR) zone, which has jurisdiction over the Mathura-Virndavan section, had mooted a proposal a few months ago to terminate it permanently due to opposition from locals. "The Proposal of North Central Railway regarding closure of the aforementioned uneconomical branch line of North Central Railway has been examined by the (Railway) Board. Accordingly, Competent Authority has approved permanent closure of Mathura Vrindavan section of Agra Division of North Central Railway," the Railway Ministry said in a letter dated June 6, addressed to the General Manager of the NCR zone. It further said the decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways and asked the zone to initiate necessary action. Railway officials associated with the project said the work on the rail link between the two cities started about two years ago and a significant amount of time and money had been spent on laying of tracks from both sides, Mathura as well as Vrindavan. A section of experts also said the cancellation of the project posed a question mark on the Railways' foresight and planning and may cause a significant financial loss. The Railway Board had sanctioned the conversion of the metre gauge rail line between Mathura and Vrindavan to broad gauge in 2017-18 at an estimated cost of Rs 402 crore. A contract costing Rs 191 crore was awarded to a company, ISC, in February 2023, following which dismantling of the existing track and the process of laying the new track was started on March 31, 2023. The contractor was supposed to finish the work in two years by March 30, 2025. Another contract costing Rs 38 crore for the construction of the station building at Krishna Janmabhoomi and Vrindavan, including platforms and foot-over bridges, was awarded to HOG Projects in May 2023. The metre gauge track, constructed by the Britishers more than 100 years ago, was in operation with a one-coach rail bus that operated twice a day till early 2023. The service was stopped for the construction of the broad gauge. The gauge conversion work was started from Vrindavan but local residents raised objections when the work began from the Mathura side in June 2023. The railway officials said the locals used to cross the track easily as the metre gauge was at the ground level and the speed of the rail bus was also slow. According to officials, the new track was supposed to be constructed on an embankment. The locals objected to it, saying they would find it inconvenient to cross the track easily as they used to do earlier. On September 1, 2023, a meeting was held between senior officials, including those from the NCR zone, Mathura district magistrate, municipal commissioner, protesting residents and their representatives among others. The majority of the residents demanded the construction of a road on the railway land instead of a broad gauge rail line.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Railway Ministry permanently closes ₹402-cr Mathura-Vrindavan rail conversion project
New Delhi, The Railway Ministry has permanently closed its ambitious project for the conversion of the Mathura-Vrindavan railway line from metre gauge to broad gauge at an estimated cost of ₹402 crore, terming it "uneconomical". The North Central Railway zone, which has jurisdiction over the Mathura-Virndavan section, had mooted a proposal a few months ago to terminate it permanently due to opposition from locals. "The Proposal of North Central Railway regarding closure of the aforementioned uneconomical branch line of North Central Railway has been examined by the Board. Accordingly, Competent Authority has approved permanent closure of Mathura Vrindavan section of Agra Division of North Central Railway," the Railway Ministry said in a letter dated June 6, addressed to the General Manager of the NCR zone. It further said the decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways and asked the zone to initiate necessary action. Railway officials associated with the project said the work on the rail link between the two cities started about two years ago and a significant amount of time and money had been spent on laying of tracks from both sides, Mathura as well as Vrindavan. A section of experts also said the cancellation of the project posed a question mark on the Railways' foresight and planning and may cause a significant financial loss. The Railway Board had sanctioned the conversion of the metre gauge rail line between Mathura and Vrindavan to broad gauge in 2017-18 at an estimated cost of ₹402 crore. A contract costing ₹191 crore was awarded to a company, ISC, in February 2023, following which dismantling of the existing track and the process of laying the new track was started on March 31, 2023. The contractor was supposed to finish the work in two years by March 30, 2025. Another contract costing ₹38 crore for the construction of the station building at Krishna Janmabhoomi and Vrindavan, including platforms and foot-over bridges, was awarded to HOG Projects in May 2023. The metre gauge track, constructed by the Britishers more than 100 years ago, was in operation with a one-coach rail bus that operated twice a day till early 2023. The service was stopped for the construction of the broad gauge. The gauge conversion work was started from Vrindavan but local residents raised objections when the work began from the Mathura side in June 2023. The railway officials said the locals used to cross the track easily as the metre gauge was at the ground level and the speed of the rail bus was also slow. According to officials, the new track was supposed to be constructed on an embankment. The locals objected to it, saying they would find it inconvenient to cross the track easily as they used to do earlier. On September 1, 2023, a meeting was held between senior officials, including those from the NCR zone, Mathura district magistrate, municipal commissioner, protesting residents and their representatives among others. The majority of the residents demanded the construction of a road on the railway land instead of a broad gauge rail line. JP
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mohali police seize propertyof two drug smugglers
Police seized the property of two drug smugglers operating in Lalru as part of the statewide 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign on Monday. The drug peddlers, Jaswant Pal Singh and Jasvir Singh, were residing in Sadarpura Mohalla, Lalru. Acting on the directions of Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG Ropar Range, the district police froze the asset, identifying it as a proceed of drug trafficking, SSP Harmandeep Hans confirmed. Providing details, the SSP said the Lalru police team had earlier recovered four quintals and 48 kg of poppy husk from the possession of Jaswant and Jasvir. FIR No 82, dated April 16, 2020, had been registered against them under Sections 15 and 61 of the NDPS Act at the Lalru police station. Pursuing a financial angle in the case, the SHO of the Lalru police station and his team identified a residential property measuring 130 square yards and valued at ₹22.44 lakh registered in the name of accused Jasvir and Savita Pal, the wife of accused Jaswant. The property, located in Lalru, was flagged as being acquired from drug proceeds. Following an investigation and verification with the revenue department, the police submitted a proposal to the Competent Authority, New Delhi, seeking approval for seizing and freezing the property. After sustained efforts, the said house was officially frozen under Section 68F of the NDPS Act by the Competent Authority and administrator of the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) (SAFEM (FOP)) Act, New Delhi. SSP Hans added that the accused's additional properties have also been identified and are being processed for forfeiture under the same provisions by the Mohali police.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
MCD cancels all leaves of officials until further notice
NEW DELHI: A day after the Delhi government took the precautionary measure of cancelling all leaves for its officials with immediate effect, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday said that leaves have been cancelled for its officials as well. 'In pursuance of order issued under the signature of Special Secretary (Services), Delhi government, all HODs of Municipal Corporation of Delhi are directed that no leave shall be granted to any Officer/Official of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, till further orders,' said an order issued by the MCD's administrative officer to all HoDs and DCs. It may be noted that the Delhi government, while cancelling the leaves, had said, 'In view of the prevailing situation and preparedness for emergency response systems, the Competent Authority has directed that no leave shall be granted to any Officer/Official of Govt. of NCT of Delhi, till further orders.' The decision had come amid a significant escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan. On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, the Indian Air Force launched 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for a deadly militant attack on April 22 in Pahalgam which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. On Wednesday, a massive mock civil defense exercise was conducted at 55 locations in the city as part of a nationwide emergency preparedness drill.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi government cancels all official leaves amid Pakistan conflict; cites emergency preparedness
NEW DELHI: In response to the rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Delhi government has taken the precautionary measure of canceling all leaves for its officials with immediate effect. This directive will remain in force until further notice, as authorities prepare for an emergency situations. "In view of the prevailing situation and preparedness for emergency response systems, the Competent Authority has directed that no leave shall be granted to any Officer/Official of Govt. of NCT of Delhi, till further orders," an order issued by the services department read. The decision comes amid a significant escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan. On the intervening night of May 6-7, the Indian Air Force launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for a deadly militant attack on April 22 in Pahalgam which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The situation has led to heavy artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC), with civilian casualties reported on both sides. A day before, a massive mock civil defence exercise was conducted at 55 locations in the city as part of a nationwide emergency preparedness drill. According to officials, the government's decision to cancel all official leaves is seen as a proactive step to ensure readiness for any emergency given the proximity of Delhi to the conflict zones and its significance as the national capital. Officials are expected to be on standby to coordinate responses, maintain public order, and provide essential services as needed.
