Latest news with #Durgapuja
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bairabi-Sairang passenger train likely to roll out in Sept
Silchar: In a major boost to Mizoram's connectivity, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is gearing up to flag off passenger train services on the Bairabi-Sairang route as early as next month — before the Durga puja festival. The move will mark the first time the hilly state sees passenger trains running through its mountainous terrain. An NFR spokesman earlier said the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has already given green signal for operations. "With the approval in place, we are now finalising the launch date and working towards commencing services from Sept," he said. The spokesman expressed optimism that the inaugural run could happen before the Durga Puja festivities, calling it a "significant milestone" for the northeastern state. Railway experts hailed the development as a potential game-changer for Mizoram's tourism sector, predicting a surge in visitors and a much-needed boost to the state's economy. Since Independence, Mizoram has relied solely on roadways to stay connected with the rest of the country. With rail connectivity finally on track, experts believe it will transform travel, trade and transportation for the state's residents. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
West Bengal CM Mamata announces ₹1.10 lakh grant to each Durga Puja committee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a coordination meeting with the organisers of the Durga Puja Community in Kolkata on Thursday. She announced ₹1 lakh 10 thousand as a grant to each Durga Puja committee in the state. Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee during the a co-ordination meeting with the organizers of community Durga Puja in Kolkata on Thursday(Samir Jana/Hindustan Times) Addressing a huge gathering, Mamata Banerjee said, "Each Durga Puja committee in West Bengal will now receive ₹1 lakh 10 thousand as a grant fund from the West Bengal government. We organise this meeting every year ahead of the Durga puja for proper coordination, and there should be no shortcomings in traffic arrangements, drinking water, health facilities, or electricity." "People from every religion are included, as there is a culture in Bengal. We participate in cultural festivals of every religion. Durga Puja is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, so it is our responsibility to organise it properly," CM Banerjee said. She further said that some people allege that Mamata Banerjee does not allow the conduct of Durga Puja. "It is alleged that I do not allow the conduct of Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja, but the fact is that Saraswati Puja is conducted in every home. There are no festivals which are not conducted here. 45,000 pujas are conducted in clubs, in the state police area, it is over 42,000, in the Kolkata police area, it is nearly 3000," CM Mamata highlighted. "Idol immersion will take place on October 2,3, and 4. Mobile patrolling team, quick response team, drone, CCTV, all facilities will have to be provided. The police control room will work for 24 hours. A stampede-like situation should be averted," she instructed. The West Bengal CM announced an 80 per cent concession in electricity bills for the puja committees. She said that a one-window system is available for NOC-related permission for the Puja committees. The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of 'dhaak' and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. (ANI)
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tripura Government asks NHDCL to complete NH repair work before Durga puja
'The Tripura Government has asked the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to complete the repair work of the Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-8) before Durga puja,' a senior official said on Sunday (July 27, 2025.) The Durga puja, the biggest festival in the northeastern State, will commence on September 29, 2025. Following reports of the bad condition of the National Highway from Kumarghat to Churaibari in Unakoti and North districts, PWD secretary Kiran Gitte, along with senior officials of NHIDCL and State PWD, visited the National Highway to take stock of the situation on Saturday (July 26, 2025.) Two suspected Bangladeshi smugglers shot dead at International Border in Tripura Earlier, Chief Minister Manik Saha also held a meeting with officials to review the bad condition or roads, including the National Highway and asked for repair works on a war footing. "On Saturday [July 26, 2025], I travelled over 400 km through the National Highway from Khowai to Kamalpur and Churaribari via Manu and Kumarghat. Senior officials from NHIDCL and State PWD also accompanied me. The road from Kumarghat to Churaibari needs immediate repair as several patches of it suffered severe damage due to the ongoing monsoon," Mr. Gitte told PTI. According to him, the NHIDCL has been asked to complete the repair work from Kumarghat to Churaibari before Durga puja. "I have asked NHIDCL to complete repair work by Durga puja. I have also told them to bring high officials (from outside the State) to see the ground reality," he said. Flash flood hits Tripura: More than 100 families rendered homeless Mr. Gitte further added that the State Highways or other roads, which are maintained by the State PWD, are better than the National Highways executed by the NHIDCL through sub-contractors. West Tripura MP and former CM Biplab Kumar Deb met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in Delhi on July 23 and urged him to send high-level officials to the northeastern State to check the condition of roads. "Plans are there to construct sustainable RCC roads in the coming days that can withstand the heavy rainfall in Tripura. Urged the Union Minister to send a team consisting of high-level officials for quality checking and identifying the defects and take necessary strict actions," Mr. Deb posted on Facebook after meeting with Mr. Gadkari.
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tripura govt asks NHDCL to complete NH repair work before Durga puja
Agartala, The Tripura government has asked the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd to complete the repair work of the Assam-Agartala National Highway before Durga puja, a senior official said on Sunday. Tripura govt asks NHDCL to complete NH repair work before Durga puja The Durga puja, the biggest festival in the northeastern state, will commence on September 29. Following reports of the bad condition of the national highway from Kumarghat to Churaibari in Unakoti and North districts, PWD secretary Kiran Gitte, along with senior officials of NHIDCL and state PWD, visited the national highway to take stock of the situation on Saturday. Earlier, Chief Minister Manik Saha also held a meeting with officials to review the bad condition or roads, including the national highway and asked for repair works on a war footing. "On Saturday, I travelled over 400 km through the national highway from Khowai to Kamalpur and Churaribari via Manu and Kumarghat. Senior officials from NHIDCL and state PWD also accompanied me. The road from Kumarghat to Churaibari needs immediate repair as several patches of it suffered severe damage due to the ongoing monsoon," Gitte told PTI. According to him, the NHIDCL has been asked to complete the repair work from Kumarghat to Churaibari before Durga puja. "I have asked NHIDCL to complete repair work by Durga puja. I have also told them to bring high officials to see the ground reality", he said. Gitte further added that the state highways or other roads, which are maintained by the state PWD, are better than the national highways executed by the NHIDCL through sub-contractors. West Tripura MP and former CM Biplab Kumar Deb met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in Delhi on July 23 and urged him to send high-level officials to the northeastern state to check the condition of roads. "Plans are there to construct sustainable RCC roads in the coming days that can withstand the heavy rainfall in Tripura. Urged the Union minister to send a team consisting of high-level officials for quality checking and identifying the defects and take necessary strict actions," Deb posted on Facebook after meeting with Gadkari. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hans India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Tripura Sets Durga Puja Deadline For Critical Highway Repairs On Assam-Agartala Route
The Tripura state government has issued urgent directives to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHDCL) to expedite repair work on the deteriorating Assam-Agartala National Highway before the commencement of Durga puja festivities. The northeastern state's most significant religious celebration is scheduled to begin on September 29, creating a firm deadline for the infrastructure restoration project. The initiative follows mounting concerns about the deplorable condition of critical highway sections, particularly the stretch connecting Kumarghat to Churaibari spanning across Unakoti and North districts. Public Works Department Secretary Kiran Gitte conducted an extensive field inspection on Saturday, covering over 400 kilometers of the national highway route from Khowai to Kamalpur and Churaribari, passing through Manu and Kumarghat areas. During the comprehensive assessment, Gitte was accompanied by senior representatives from both NHDCL and the state PWD department. The inspection revealed severe damage to multiple road segments, with monsoon rainfall exacerbating existing infrastructure problems along the Kumarghat-Churaibari corridor. Chief Minister Manik Saha had previously convened urgent meetings with relevant officials to address the widespread road deterioration affecting both national highways and local routes. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for immediate action, describing the repair efforts as requiring "war footing" urgency given the approaching festival season. Gitte expressed particular concern about the urgent nature of repairs needed between Kumarghat and Churaibari, noting that numerous road patches have sustained significant damage due to the ongoing monsoon season. The PWD secretary has specifically instructed NHDCL to deploy senior officials to personally evaluate ground conditions and ensure quality restoration work. The state official also highlighted a concerning disparity in road maintenance quality, noting that state highways and other routes maintained directly by the state PWD demonstrate superior condition compared to national highways managed by NHDCL through subcontractor arrangements. Political pressure for improved highway conditions has intensified at the federal level as well. West Tripura Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb recently met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on July 23. During the meeting, Deb advocated for immediate deployment of high-level federal officials to conduct thorough assessments of road conditions throughout the northeastern state. Following his discussion with the Union Minister, Deb outlined ambitious plans for constructing weather-resistant reinforced concrete cement (RCC) roads designed to withstand Tripura's intense monsoon conditions. He specifically requested the formation of a specialized team comprising senior officials tasked with conducting comprehensive quality assessments, identifying structural defects, and implementing stringent corrective measures. The deteriorating highway conditions pose significant challenges for the approaching Durga puja season, when thousands of devotees and tourists typically travel throughout the state to participate in religious celebrations. The festival represents not only the region's most important cultural event but also a critical period for economic activity dependent on reliable transportation infrastructure. The government's deadline underscores the urgency of completing repairs before the festival rush begins, ensuring safe passage for pilgrims and maintaining the smooth flow of goods and services during this economically vital period for the northeastern state.
