Latest news with #Nehra
News18
05-08-2025
- Sport
- News18
Not Shubman Gill! Ashish Nehra Lauds This Batter For Stepping Up In England Series
Last Updated: Ashish Nehra has lauded KL Rahul's maturity and responsibility in India's Test series against England, especially with Kohli and Sharma absent. Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra has said that KL Rahul was one of the few experienced players in the Indian team among a group of youngsters, and even though the pitches in the first two Tests were belters, scoring runs was still crucial, and Rahul fulfilled his role. Rahul scored 532 runs across five matches, at a stunning average of 53.2, as he looked composed throughout, even under pressure. Speaking on Sony Sports, Nehra acknowledged Rahul's maturity and sense of responsibility, with a young side around him. 'He was an experienced batter. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not there. There were a few young players. An England tour is not easy. No matter how much you discuss that the pitches in the first two Tests were the flattest, you still need to score runs on that, and this player showed that by doing it," Nehra said. 'As an opener, when you are the most experienced player in the team, that must be in your mind. The experienced players like him and Jasprit Bumrah did their job fully. It felt good that he got a chance to play at the number he has been playing for a long time," Nehra added. Rahul on Monday said that the 2-2 Test series draw against England 'will rank right at the top" among the biggest moments of Indian cricket as it was pulled off by a side that 'wasn't given a chance" in the absence of giants like Kohli and Rohit. Led by the tireless Mohammed Siraj's extraordinary bowling effort that fetched him a five-for in the second innings, India scraped past England by six runs in the series-deciding fifth and final Test. The victory over England bagged the tourists a 2-2 draw in the intensely fought series, which saw them claw back from difficult situations. 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.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
How illegal factories in MP, UP fuel gun trade & culture in NCR
Gurgaon: During the last 18 months, police have seized over 370 weapons from gangsters or criminals, out of which 222 pistols were manufactured in Madhya Pradesh and 148 country-made pistols were produced in Uttar Pradesh. These recoveries were made from Jan 2024 till June 2025. In fact, pistol and country-made pistols (katta) — manufactured at several illegal firearms factories in MP and UP respectively — are being supplied to gangs in NCR. Pistols are priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 1 lakh, while country-made pistols are available for Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. According to police, gangsters, based abroad, supplied arms to their members in India. Many youngsters, attracted to gang culture, purchased these weapons through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon 370 and counting Gurgaon police — from Jan 2024 till June 2025 — seized 370 illegal firearms that were manufactured in MP and UP. Police arrested 235 accused and recovered approximately 250 weapons across 198 cases last year. From Jan to June this year, authorities recovered 120 weapons in 95 cases and apprehended 127 accused. Snatchers, robbers and those individuals who are involved in petty crimes possess these weapons, police said. Recently, a crime branch team from the city recently recovered illegal firearms from members of the gangster Lipin Nehra's group. Nehra, who is believed to be in the US, is a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and faces over 20 criminal cases, including murder, says a senior police officer. The officer said Nehra had supplied pistols manufactured in Madhya Pradesh to his gang and directed them to eliminate a rival gang member. However, police arrested two men in possession of illegal pistols allegedly supplied by Nehra. "The arrested duo received the weapons from unidentified persons sent by their gang leader for the task. Many efforts have been made to zero in on these illegal factories operating in MP but the business continues to flourish," the senior officer. Another officer said illegal pistols are readily available in various parts of Madhya Pradesh, such as Burhanpur, Khargone, Dhar and Khandwa. "A Sikligar community in MP makes these weapons for their livelihood. They buy iron rods in bulk from scrap and then mould them into weapons. Many arms factories are operating there in the residential area too. Local police shield them if we try to nab them," the officer said. The situation is similar in Uttar Pradesh, where illegal firearm factories are active in regions including Meerut, Aligarh, Sambhal and Ghaziabad. UP Police, in collaboration with the STF, seized 300 guns and 50,000 bullets from an illegal factory operating in Mirzaganj, Lucknow last month.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Patna airport faces safety risks amid urban sprawl & natural obstacles
1 2 Patna: The tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad has rekindled long-standing fears over the precarious nature of operations at Patna's Jayprakash Narayan International Airport, a facility so tightly hemmed in by urban sprawl and natural constraints that even seasoned pilots concede it offers almost no margin for error. Tucked between the lush, wildlife-rich Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (better known as Patna zoo) to the east and the railway corridor of Phulwarisharif to the west, the airport is, by all accounts, flying on the edge. Its geographical squeeze is more than a cartographic inconvenience – it is a hazard. Short runways, tall trees, electric cables, a looming British-era clock tower and erratic light sources such as DJ laser beams during weddings all conspire to make every landing and take-off a potential challenge. "The airport is surrounded by thick settlement, making it one of the most challenging for take-offs and landings," an aviation official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The short runway only adds to the difficulty," he added. Despite being operationally critical for Bihar, the airport continues to run on borrowed time. Runway expansion has long been discussed, but actual action remains elusive. In the wake of the June 12 AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which sent shockwaves across the country, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the district administration inspected Patna airport to examine possibilities for runway extension. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo A proposal has been drawn up yet again, but those on the ground remain sceptical. "We have heard promises before," said an airport official. "But the challenges we face demand more than paperwork and inspections," he added. Standing at 49.5 metres tall, the iconic clock tower near the Old Secretariat, built in 1917, poses a major hurdle for approaching aircraft. "It eats into our usable runway length," said Krishna Mohan Nehra, Patna's airport director. While the runway officially stretches 2,072 metres, pilots are forced to work with only 1,938 metres from the east and just 1,677 metres from the west due to the tower's presence. Nehra said the tower disrupts the standard three-degree landing approach, forcing aircraft to descend at steeper angles of up to 3.5 degrees which is risky, especially in poor weather. The Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC), chaired by divisional commissioner Chandrashekhar Singh, has recommended reducing the tower's height by 17.5 metres. The proposal now awaits cabinet secretariat approval. "Pilots often have to go around again due to incorrect approach angles caused by the tower," an official added. Patna's airstrip is nearly 750 feet shorter than the 2,300 metres recommended by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for safe operation of commercial jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. In fact, Patna was one of four airports flagged in 2010 by the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC) for critical safety limitations. The latest expansion proposal includes acquiring 37 acres to the east – 15 acres of which belong to the Patna zoo – and 200 metres of land towards the west, near the railway line in Phulwarisharif. District officials are eyeing sites near the Patna Golf Club to compensate the zoo for any lost land. Rajender Singh Lahauria, former airport director, supports the relocation of the zoo altogether. "The zoo director back then felt the airport operations were affecting animal breeding. Shifting the zoo and govt bungalows would make runway extension viable," he said. However, Lahauria cautioned that western expansion won't benefit landing distances due to the railway traction lines but could help with take-offs. "The real game-changer would be reducing the clock tower's height, but historically the AAI hasn't received a positive response from the state," he added. Lahauria said in 2016, a proposal was sent at his time to reduce the clock tower height by 11.5-m and land acquisition for runway extension, but nothing was done. Arvind Kumar Singh, secretary of Patna Golf Club, said they have a lease of 102.8acres of land out of which 20acres is "encroached" by zoo. "The club does not in any way interfere with flight safety funnel. Golf Club has been declared as a green belt with multiple heritage trees of over 70/80 years old. The Golf Club has given national level golfers creating a good image of emerging Bihar. We have plans to further upgrade the facility but if they take another 15-acre land, then how can we do it?" he asked. According to AAI officials, even the western extension is fraught with problems. "We can only extend by 120 metres towards Phulwarisharif. But even that will be largely unusable. There must be at least 150 metres between the runway's centreline and the railway track. Currently, we only have 70 metres and an extension would reduce it to just 39," one official said. High-tension wires along the railway line further complicate the possibility of creating a slope. Efforts to move the railway line underground were ruled out after a RITES feasibility study. "There is simply no scope westward," the official said. The eastern approach is equally complex. "When pilots land from the east, the first thing they see are tree canopies, not the runway," another official said. "Beyond the zoo, new multi-storey buildings could emerge as future obstructions. We have only surveyed within our jurisdiction, but even now, we can't use the full 2,072 metres," he added. Tree growth at the zoo poses a persistent safety threat. Regular pruning, officials say, is either delayed or ignored. At a recent AEMC meeting, the airport director stressed the urgency of compliance with the Obstacle Limitation Survey under the Aircraft Act, 1934. The forest department has been instructed to take immediate action. "Tree growth is natural, and so should be its management," said Arvind Dubey, former director of the airport. "We need the state's cooperation to ensure aircraft safety. Passenger facilities have improved, but operational safety must follow," he added. Another growing concern is the menace of laser lights from wedding venues. On April 17 this year, an IndiGo flight (6E-653) from Pune was temporarily blinded by a DJ laser beam during its approach to Patna. While the pilot managed a safe landing, the potential consequences could have been catastrophic. Following the incident, authorities banned laser lights in the airport vicinity, requiring prior police clearance for DJs and sound systems at public events. Yet enforcement remains patchy. "Laser distractions during peak wedding season can be fatal," airport officials said. Though bird-hit incidents have decreased due to tighter controls on open meat and fish shops in Phulwarisharif, danger still looms large, thanks to the nearby garbage transfer station at Gardanibagh. Only 800 metres from the airport, the site attracts birds and poses a serious threat. Divisional commissioner Singh said that a new dumping site is being constructed at Yarpur and is expected to be operational by Aug 15. "Proper waste disposal near the airport is crucial for safety," he said. This year, Patna airport has already reported seven bird-hit incidents, three of which occurred in May alone. The Ahmedabad crash also revived haunting memories of Patna's own aviation tragedy. On July 17, 2000, Alliance Air flight 7412 ploughed through a residential colony in Gardanibagh, killing over 60 people. Naveen Singh, a local, still remembers it vividly. "I was at the airport when it happened. I rushed to the site. It's an image I can't erase," he said. Akhilesh Choudhary, a 62-year-old resident of Gardanibagh, said, "The sound of aircraft engines still fills us with dread. After Ahmedabad, those old fears have returned. The authorities must take action for us and for the pilots." Ultimately, many aviation experts believe that only a greenfield airport can address Patna's aviation challenges comprehensively. "We are working within impossible constraints," said an AAI official. "The land is limited, the obstructions are permanent and the risks are real," he added.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Youngsters can pull off a surprise in Ind-Eng series: Former India pacer Nehra
CHENNAI: AS India get ready to take on England in the first Test at Headingley, Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra backed the youngsters in the team to pull off a surprise in the five-Test series that begins on Friday. The former India left-arm pacer also felt batter B Sai Sudharsan will grab the chance with both hands whenever he makes his debut and that Prasidh Krishna could be an surprise package. 'According to me, Sai Sudharsan is a run machine, and he should get a chance on this tour although he is a new player. Even if the pitch conditions in England are tough and if he plays all five Test matches, then the rest will be history,' said Nehra in a virtual interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network on Thursday. Nehra had nothing but praise for the new Test captain Shubman Gill, who he had mentored in the IPL as coach of the Gujarat Titans. 'I personally rate him. Shubman was never captain earlier for the Under-23 squad or Ranji Trophy, but I have spent two to three years with him, and you get to know the guy. He is a quick learner, and is very keen to learn all the time. Since he has played and experienced T20 cricket, which is more fast-paced, he is very composed for his age and is very mature for a 25-year-old. There are so many other things where you can be good or better, but that only comes with experience and playing more matches,' said Nehra. 'I know (with) runs nobody can predict, but early runs can take the pressure off Shubman. You feel more confident on scoring more runs.' he added.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Gill has improved massively in the past 12 months as captain: Nehra
Mumbai: Like several far-reaching decisions in Indian cricket successfully tried out first in the Indian Premier League (IPL) – such as appointing Rohit Sharma captain, the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah as a world beater and Suryakumar Yadav the T20 batting marauder – the national selectors would hope Shubman Gill's ascent to Test captaincy will also come good. Gill will become the fifth youngest Indian captain – counting Ravi Shastri's solitary Test – when he walks out for the toss at Leeds on Friday in the first of the five-Test India-England series to be broadcast on Sony Sports Network. Gill cut his teeth as captain for Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL. 'From his first year as captain, there has been a massive difference in Shubman the captain in the past twelve months,' Ashish Nehra, GT head coach, told a select group of media of which HT was a part. 'He might have been a little shy and introverted before, but he has improved a lot. He communicates better with his bowlers. In between, he has also gained international experience.' Leading in Test cricket will present an entirely different set of challenges. But Nehra believes he has already shown traits of being calm under pressure. 'I personally rate him that's why we made him a captain,' said Nehra. 'He is a quick learner, a confident guy. He has his own mind which is great. I feel in Test and ODI cricket you get a little more time. In T20 cricket, you need to be even more calm. Shubman is very calm for his age, very mature for a 25–year-old.' For GT, Gill was elevated as captain after Hardik Pandya's surprise transfer to Mumbai Indians. The first year was a learning curve with Gill himself saying it took him time to compartmentalise batting and captaincy. Leading India would bring its own pressures. It would help if Gill has runs to show because that is the quickest way to earn the respect from teammates. 'If the top three score runs, that will make life easy for Shubman at No. 4 and the rest of the batting line up. Of course, you feel more confident as a batter when you score runs,' said Nehra. 'He will have his own expectations with himself. The way I see it, it's not just about the results, it's what sort of cricket they play. There have been recent series in England where India played a lot better than the scorecard suggested. So, it will be key to play good and exciting cricket.' With India's batting thin on experience, Bumrah's role as the leader of the pace pack and how Gill is able to maximise his impact while managing his workload will be of huge interest. 'On Bumrah's workload, the judge won't be Gill, it will be the fast bowler himself,' said Nehra. 'I have been hearing that Bumrah will play the 1st, 3rd and the 5th Test. But what if it rains in the first Test? You can't make these plans well in advance. Who knows, he may feel good to play back-to-back Tests. 'On some occasions, we have seen Bumrah picking up five wickets in 12-13 overs. That's how skilful he is. It's the bowler who will tell the physio and the captain on how his body is coping. You can't script this. This is not a movie.'
