Latest news with #DDU
Canada News.Net
3 days ago
- General
- Canada News.Net
Canadian cities are unprepared for climate-driven migration - here's what they can do
This summer, wildfires have caused evacuations across Canada and recently forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Newfoundland and Labrador. Some of the biggest impacts are being felt in the Prairies. In Manitoba, authorities recently issued evacuation orders for 15,000 people, mostly in the province's north. Many evacuees are brought to larger cities like Winnipeg, overwhelming hotels and emergency housing. In Canada, climate-driven migration is often imagined as a distant threat that affects others in the world. But these evacuations foreshadow a future where internal displacement becomes a regular feature of Canadian life - and where cities must rethink how they plan for disruption. Events like the 88,000-person evacuation from Fort McMurray, Alta. in 2016 and the destruction of Lytton, B.C. in 2021 show how fast rural populations can be displaced. Manitoba's evacuations are among largest in recent memory, and many evacuated communities are remote and poorly connected to infrastructure. For them, evacuation may soon become an annual reality. At the University of Hong Kong's District Development Unit research lab (DDU), we develop architectural and urban strategies for rapidly urbanising regions in the Global South, where settlements are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. We've seen how post-disaster migration reshapes cities. These shifts are predictable in places where infrastructure and governance haven't kept pace with climate volatility. Across Canada, services and infrastructure are already under stress. Housing is increasingly unaffordable, including in rural areas. Many rural regions, especially those with large Indigenous populations, struggle to access basic services. Though these areas are home to 18 per cent of the population, they are served by only eight per cent of Canada's physicians. More than one quarter of rural school districts report closures or consolidations due to underfunding. These structural weaknesses form the backdrop to a slow-moving crisis - one that climate events are accelerating. Elsewhere in the world, disasters regularly drive rural-to-urban migration and permanent urban change. In countries like Nepal and the Philippines - where our lab works - these movements are often rapid, informal and far beyond the scope of traditional planning. In Kathmandu, the 2015 earthquake struck a city already marked by informal housing and fragile services. It accelerated a haphazard urban transformation characterized by uncontrolled sprawl, unsafe informal construction and overstretched infrastructure. In the Philippines, typhoon recovery is often driven by necessity, with residents rebuilding informally. This results in growing slums and increasing vulnerability to future disasters. These dynamics create new urban landscapes. In some cases, local governments are taking the lead, for example, by establishing local evacuation centres in the Philippines. Elsewhere, informal encampments, home extensions and land occupations take hold. These are responses that reflect not only survival, but governance: provisional infrastructures are built through necessity, negotiation and collective care. Canada is not exempt from these dynamics. When disaster strikes, evacuees often seek refuge in cities, where better public infrastructure offers some stability. As climate change fuels ever-larger wildfires, this trend will grow, with smaller urban centres absorbing more people fleeing climate-stressed regions. Yet policy remains far behind. There is no national framework for climate-induced displacement. Canada's immigration and housing policies have no category for internal climate migration. Disaster response remains reactive, coordinated mainly by municipalities and provinces through short-term tools like 211 or temporary shelters. Interjurisdictional planning is minimal. Municipal climate plans rarely anticipate population surges or extended pressure on housing. Displacement is still treated as an occasional event, not as an enduring part of Canadian urban life. Canada must begin to learn from places already living this future. In Taiwan, civic centres double as emergency shelters, equipped with backup power, water tanks and seismic isolation systems. In Japan, disaster-prevention parks embed solar lighting, cooking stations and toilets into public green spaces. And in Mongolia, our lab has developed incremental urban strategies for Ulaanbaatar's ger districts - clustering growth, infrastructure and housing to adapt to rapid, uncertain settlement patterns. These examples reflect a model of urbanism in which emergency response and long-term development are not separate, but part of a continuous, negotiated process. Canada's geography, governance and urban forms demand their own set of protocols and prototypes. While lessons from elsewhere can guide us, they cannot be copied wholesale. This means it is vital to develop a national framework for internal climate migration that integrates climate displacement into the National Housing Strategy. All orders of governments should focus of developing multi-use resilience infrastructure, such as community centres and schools equipped for emergency response, and advancing adaptive housing policies that can expand or contract with demand. Canada once helped shape global thinking on the transformation of urban areas. The 1976 United Nations Habitat Conference in Vancouver, catalyzed by the efforts of architects and planners, called for new models of settlement and development grounded in equity, participation and awareness of our planet's limits. Nearly 50 years later, that unfinished legacy has a new urgency. Today, climate displacement calls for a shift in how architects engage with the built environment - moving toward coordinated action with communities, policymakers and allied fields, and embracing models of practice that move beyond the traditional role of service provider - to actively initiate change. Architects must engage not only with buildings, but with the frameworks that govern land, infrastructure and migration itself. This means challenging the professional neutrality that too often aligns design with extractive systems, and instead welcoming practices capable of working across institutions, jurisdictions and communities. A national summit could mark the beginning of this shift by creating a forum to discuss climate migration and design the tools, policies and partnerships that will shape its outcomes. The question is not whether climate movement will occur, but whether we will be prepared to meet it with intention, care and foresight.
News18
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- News18
ECR successfully conducts trial run of 4.5 km long Rudrastra freight train
Chandauli (UP), Aug 8 (PTI) The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Division (DDU) of East Central Railway has achieved a new milestone by successfully operating 'Rudrastra', a 4.5 km long freight train, Asia's longest, an official said. Sharing a video of the trial run on X, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, ''Rudrastra' – Bharat's longest freight train (4.5 km long)." Now freight trains will be sent from the DDU Division to the Dhanbad Division for quick loading and transportation of goods, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Uday Singh Meena said. 'This is a new experiment, which will make freight transportation and loading quick. This will not only save resources but also time. Indian Railways will benefit from this. Rudrastra is Asia's longest freight train, according to records of the Railways. 'The trial run was conducted from the Ganjkhwaja railway station in Chandauli to Garhwa in Jharkhand on Thursday, covering a distance of 209 km in 5 hours 10 minutes at an average speed of 40.50 km per hour," Meena told PTI. Rudrastra was prepared by adding three long haul (two goods trains each) racks. A total of 345 wagons were included in it, with 72 tonnes of goods loaded in one empty wagon, he said. 'Two engines were attached in front and one with each rack after every 59 bogeys. In all, seven engines were used. One rack had 59 bogeys. In a way, five goods trains were lined up one after the other with the first goods train having two engines," Meena said. There are five divisions in East Central Railway — DDU, Dhanbad, Danapur, Samastipur and Sonpur. PTI COR NAV ARI view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
08-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
WATCH: Rudrastra – India's longest freight train with 354 wagons, 7 engines
India's longest freight train: Indian Railways (IR) has set a new record by operating the country's longest freight train. The initiative, undertaken by the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Division of the East Central Railway (ECR), is aimed at boosting freight capacity. On August 7, the national transporter successfully operated 'Rudrastra,' a long freight train formed by combining six empty BOXN rakes, from Ganjkhwaja station of the DDU Division. This freight train is about 4.5 km long, and is the longest freight train of Indian Railways till date. In a statement, ECR said: 'Rudrastra covered a distance of 200 km from Ganjkhwaja station to Garhwa Road station in 05.00 hours at an average speed of 40 km. It was prepared by joining six empty boxon rakes, which include a total of 354 wagons. 7 engines were installed to run this goods train. The 'Rudrastra' goods train formed by joining all the six rakes from Ganjkhwaja station was dispatched to Garhwa Road at 2:20 pm.' This goods train ran on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from Ganjkhwaja to Sonnagar of DDU division and then on the normal track of Indian Railways towards Garhwa Road, the railways said. 'Rudrastra' – Bharat's longest freight train (4.5 km long) — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 8, 2025 In a statement, the zonal railway further said that the successful operation of 'Rudrastra' is an example of better working capacity, coordination between departments and good management of DDU division. 'This will increase both the speed and capacity of freight transportation. If these goods trains were run separately, then six different routes and crews would have to be arranged for all of them. Running together as Rudrastra will save time significantly and will also provide space for running more trains,' it added. Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read More
Business Upturn
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Innovative Warehouse Solutions Partners with Passport to Expand Seamless Global Fulfillment
FARMINGDALE, NY, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovative Warehouse Solutions (IWS), a leading U.S.-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Passport, a premier international shipping carrier. This collaboration enhances IWS's capabilities to offer clients streamlined global distribution through Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) services. With this new alliance, IWS clients can now reach customers in over 180 countries via DDP, simplifying and accelerating cross-border e-commerce fulfillment like never before. Known for its technology-forward fulfillment solutions across apparel, beauty, health, and merchandise sectors, IWS continues to invest in infrastructure and partnerships that offer clients greater speed, transparency, and reliability. By integrating Passport's advanced international logistics technology directly into its operations, IWS is setting a new standard for seamless global shipping and enhanced customer experiences. Insights from Brian Gibbons, CEO of Innovative Warehouse Solutions To shed light on the importance of this partnership, Brian Gibbons, CEO of IWS, shared his perspective: 'Brian, what was the main goal for IWS behind this new partnership?' 'Over the past few years, we've optimized our domestic shipping partnerships, ensuring efficiency, speed, and reliability. However, international fulfillment has always felt a little off — like we were wearing running shoes for domestic shipping and wooden clogs for international. International shipping is inherently more complex, even before recent global tariff changes. Our previous partners could clear customs and complete deliveries, but the experience was not as frictionless or brand-centric as we wanted it to be for our clients.' 'Do you believe Passport can prevent this friction?' 'Absolutely. Passport has built a technology and logistics company focused solely on the needs of international e-commerce brands. Their backend systems are light years ahead of anything else we've seen. What's even more impressive is their confidence — they don't just promise good service; they take full responsibility by handling customer support for delivery issues on behalf of the brand. In a logistics environment where margins are razor thin, that commitment says everything about their capabilities and their technology stack.' 'Beyond fewer issues in shipping, what other features made Passport stand out to IWS?' 'The technology doesn't just help us internally — it's a powerful tool for our clients too. Brands can seamlessly integrate Passport's systems into their own websites. They can display local currencies, like AUD for Australian shoppers, and give customers real-time, accurate shipping rates that include duties and taxes if they choose DDP. This reduces cart abandonment, eliminates unpleasant surprises at delivery, and ultimately protects brands' margins by ensuring full transparency.' 'Anything else your clients will benefit from?' 'Definitely. For one, clients who first import goods into the U.S. and then re-export internationally can claw back a significant portion of previously paid duties and taxes — a huge financial advantage. Passport can even serve as the seller of record, making it easier to comply with country-specific tax regulations and reducing administrative burden for brands.' 'Another major feature is the custom-branded tracking pages Passport offers. Instead of generic carrier tracking portals, brands can fully customize the tracking experience. They can embed promotions, videos, QR codes, or direct links to their social media pages, turning the shipping experience into a marketing channel. The tracking itself is more robust too, offering more scan events and better visibility, which minimizes customer anxiety and keeps the brand front and center during the entire delivery journey. No other carrier we've seen offers this level of integration and brand enhancement.' About Passport Passport is a modern international shipping carrier specializing in e-commerce logistics. Their services include comprehensive customs management, compliance support, localized customer service, and real-time tracking. With DDP services, Passport allows brands to offer upfront duty and tax payment options to international customers, eliminating unexpected fees and smoothing the delivery experience. Their DDU services provide additional flexibility for brands preferring recipient-based duty management. Serving over 220 global markets, Passport's platform is built to make international shipping as seamless and brand-aligned as domestic delivery. About Innovative Warehouse Solutions Innovative Warehouse Solutions (IWS) is a technology-driven third-party logistics provider specializing in comprehensive fulfillment services for both B2C and B2B clients. Known for its robust inventory management systems, seamless API integrations, and deep vertical-specific expertise across apparel, beauty, health, and consumer goods industries, IWS is committed to delivering scalable solutions that support brands through every stage of growth. With a relentless focus on efficiency, transparency, and innovation, IWS helps brands optimize their operations and expand into new markets confidently. Media contact Brand: Innovative Warehouse Solutions Contact: Media team Email: [email protected] Website: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
2 held for assaulting local train passengers
Patna/Ara: Two teenagers from Bhojpur district have been arrested for attacking train passengers with sticks as a local passenger train crossed Nagri Halt, located between Piro and Garhani stations on the Ara-Sasaram section under the DDU division of East Central Railway (ECR). The assault, captured on video and widely circulated, triggered public outrage and raised fresh concerns about passenger safety. According to DDU RPF commandant Jethin B Raj, the video showed the duo hitting passengers standing at the gates of the moving train with wooden sticks. "The footage was disturbing and prompted immediate action. We tracked down the accused with the help of local intelligence and digital evidence," he said, adding that several passengers sustained minor injuries. Sasaram RPF inspector Sanjeev Kumar said the arrests were made after investigators identified the youths using photos, videos and digital traces. "Based on the material, two accused, both 19 years old from Milki Tola village under Charpokhari police station, were arrested," he said. The arrested youths have been booked under multiple sections of the Railway Act. An FIR has been lodged at the Bikramganj RPF post and further investigation is underway under sub-inspector N K Azad to trace others possibly involved. "We are working closely with the GRP and local police to ensure such incidents are not repeated. Patrolling will be intensified in vulnerable stretches," an ECR official said.
