Latest news with #RailMinIndia
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Independence Day 2025: Buildings across India light up in colours of tricolour
Government offices and monuments across the country glowed saffron, white and green on the eve of India's 79th Independence Day. India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today with the theme Naya Bharat, reflecting the country's significant progress towards achieving the government's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Railway Station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, lit up in colours of the Indian national flag on the eve of Independence Day 2025.(X/@RailMinIndia) The official programme will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The ceremony, which will begin at 7:30am, will also see the prime minister deliver his speech from the Red Fort's ramparts, outlining the government's key priorities, accomplishments, and aspirations for the years ahead. India lights up in colours of the national flag On the evening of 14th August, buildings across the country lit up in colours of the national flag. India Post offices — from Delhi to Bengaluru — lit up to mark Independence Day 2025. The University of Hyderabad shared photographs that show its administration building lit up in colours of the Indian flag. 'The tricolour lights symbolize our pride, unity, and freedom. Let's celebrate the spirit of independence together!' it posted. Aerial footage from Bengaluru showed the Vidhan Soudha glowing In Bhubaneswar too, government buildings lit up on the eve of India's Independence Day. Google Doodle on Independence Day Search giant Google on Friday came up with a striking doodle that draws inspiration from the country's traditional tile designs, marking India's 79th Independence Day. The digital artwork ingeniously embeds themes emphasising India's achievements in space, cricket, chess, and cinema.
NDTV
05-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Watch: Vande Bharat Zips Across J&K's Anji, Chenab Bridges
The Vande Bharat Express was caught on camera smoothly gliding across the Anji and Chenab bridges in Jammu and Kashmir. The mesmerising visuals, shared by the Ministry of Railways, show the red-orange train cruising through the terrain, with the Kashmir valley in the background. "The iconic orange streak of #VandeBharatExpress powers through the challenging terrain, harmonising with the landscape as it gracefully crosses the awe-inspiring Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge," the Ministry wrote on X. The iconic orange streak of #VandeBharatExpress powers through the challenging terrain, harmonising with the landscape as it gracefully crosses the awe-inspiring Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge. — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 5, 2025 The Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, linking the valley with high-speed rail services for the first time. The Chenab Bridge, featured in the video, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. Standing at a height of 359 metres above the river, the bridge is hailed as an engineering marvel. It connects the regions of Katra and Reasi and rises even taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. PM Modi had earlier called the Chenab Bridge as an " extraordinary feat of architecture," adding that it would boost connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Approved in 2003 under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the project took 22 years to complete. Engineers constructed 93 deck segments, each 85 tonnes, with remarkable precision. The Chenab Bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link. Spanning 1,315 metres, its 467-metre steel arch is built to withstand winds over 260 kmph and seismic activity, using 28,000 tonnes of steel and 6 lakh bolts. The Anji Khad Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge. Completed in 11 months, it towers 331 metres above the valley, anchored by 96 cables and a 193-metre-high inverted Y-shaped pylon. Together, they cut travel time between Katra and Srinagar to three hours with the Vande Bharat Express. They are also built to support heavy artillery.
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mumbai to Ahmedabad in just 127 minutes: India's first bullet train service to begin soon, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Launch: India's first bullet train service on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route will commence soon. Speaking at an event in Gujarat's Bhavnagar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train service will begin very soon. Once operational, it will reduce travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 7 minutes (127 minutes), he said. 'The first bullet train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad will start very soon, and the work on the project is going on at a fast pace. When it starts running, the journey from Mumbai to Ahmedabad will take only two hours and seven minutes,' Vaishnaw said. बुलेट ट्रेन, मुंबई से अहमदाबाद वाली पहली ट्रेन, वह भी बहुत जल्दी चालू होने वाली है। तेजी से काम चल रहा है और जब यह ट्रेन चालू हो जाएगी। मुंबई से अहमदाबाद मात्र 2 घंटे 7 मिनट की जर्नी रहेगीः माननीय रेल मंत्री श्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 3, 2025 The Railway Minister was at Bhavnagar terminus from where he virtually flagged off three trains: the Bhavnagar Terminus–Ayodhya Cantt Express, the Rewa–Pune Express, and a new train connecting Jabalpur to Raipur. The 508-km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project will have 12 stations namely – Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati. The total estimated cost of MAHSR project is Rs 1,08,000 crore (approximately). Of these, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81% of the project cost i.e. Rs. 88,000 crores. Last year, Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) awarded a contract to design, manufacture, and commission of two high-speed trains to BEML Limited. Both the trainsets will be developed on Japanese Shinkansen technology. According to BEML, the price of each high-speed car is Rs 27.86 crore and the total contract value is Rs 866.87 crore. Recently, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December, 2027. 'The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029. However, Bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project,' he noted. 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
NDTV
17-07-2025
- NDTV
Train Passenger Claims Assault Over Complaint, Posts Video. Railway Seva Responds
Ensuring passenger safety remains the paramount concern for Indian Railways during train journeys. Regrettably, recent videos have emerged depicting confrontations between pantry staff and passengers, often triggered by complaints lodged against the staff. Despite interventions by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), such incidents of pantry staff physically assaulting passengers continue to gain widespread attention online. A recent video highlights one such disturbing episode where pantry staff were recorded violently attacking a passenger in a sleeper coach following a complaint about overcharging. The incident happened on Tuesday aboard train number 11463, the Veraval-Jabalpur Somnath Express. The footage reveals an altercation, with two to three pantry staff members assaulting a passenger who had reportedly raised concerns about inflated prices for food and water. A user @write2divya shared the video on X, commenting: "The video is of train number 11463. A complaint about overcharging for food and water was made through Twitter, but @RailwaySeva got their goons to beat up the passengers.@AshwiniVaishnaw ji has completely ruined the railway.@RailMinIndia, tell us what action has been taken against the goons shown in the video?" Watch the video here: वीडियो ट्रेन नंबर 11463 का है। खाने और पानी पर ओवर चार्जिंग की शिकायत ट्विटर के माध्यम से की गई तो @RailwaySeva वालों ने अपने गुंडों से यात्रियों को पिटवा दिया। @AshwiniVaishnaw जी ने रेलवे की मटिया पलीत कर दी है। @RailMinIndia बताए कि वीडियो में दिख रहे गुंडों पर क्या कार्रवाई… — Divya Gaurav Tripathi 🇮🇳 (@write2divya) July 16, 2025 In response, @RailwaySeva stated: "The concerned authorities are being informed. @Drmjabalpur @Wrdrmrjt We are always available to assist you. We will need your PNR number and mobile number. Please share your PNR number and mobile number with us via DM alternatively. You can also express your concern directly at or dial 139 for prompt resolution." The DRM Jabalpur apologised for the incident, stating, "Sir, we regret the inconvenience caused to you. The said complaint pertains to yesterday, dated 15.07.25, when the train was running in the Baroda division. Nevertheless, considering it, correspondence is being made with IRCTC to cancel the contract of the side pantry of this train." This is not an isolated case, as similar incidents of pantry staff retaliating against complainants have been reported multiple times. These recurring episodes raise serious questions about the safety of passengers during train travel. In May, a vlogger posted a video that showed assault by railway pantry staff on the Hemkunt Express. Vishal Sharma claimed the incident occurred after he filed a complaint about overcharging for food and water. He captured the entire episode on video - how a group of people attacked him and tore his clothes, allegedly in retaliation for his complaint on the RailMadad app. IRCTC released a notification that said the services of the vendor were terminated for five years, and the ban can be further extended for two years.
NDTV
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
AAP Leader's Wife Slams "Deplorable" Meal On Tejas Express, IRCTC Says "No One Else Complained"
Anita Singh, wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, recently expressed her dissatisfaction with the quality of food served on the Tejas Express, a premium train operated by Indian Railways. Taking to the social media platform X, she shared a photograph of the meal in question and voiced her concerns, criticising the roti for being papad -like, the paneer for being stale, and the dal for being watery. Her post questioned the standards of service promoted by the Tejas Express, which is marketed as a high-end, modern rail travel experience. She wrote on X, "The food served on the Tejas Express was utterly deplorable. The roti was as hard as papad, the paneer was stale, and instead of dal, only water was served. Is this the railway's "world-class" service? Stop playing with passengers' health," and tagged the Railway ministry and Ashwini Vaishnaw. PNR No 2338310371 तेजस एक्सप्रेस में मिला खाना बेहद घटिया था। रोटी पापड़ जैसी सख्त, पनीर बासी और दाल की जगह सिर्फ़ पानी परोसा गया। क्या यही है रेलवे की 'वर्ल्ड क्लास' सेवा? यात्रियों की सेहत से खिलवाड़ बंद हो! माननीय @AshwiniVaishnaw जी, कृपया संज्ञान लें। @RailMinIndia — Anita Singh (@AnitaSingh_) July 11, 2025 In response, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) issued a prompt reply, stating that meals are inspected before serving and that no other passenger had complained. However, they acknowledged the feedback and assured that appropriate measures would be taken to address the issue. "Concerning the feedback regarding catering services provided by you on 11/07/25 in the New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express train, we wish to inform you that the quality of the food is checked before serving, and no complaints in this regard have been received from other passengers in the said coach; rather, the catering has generally been appreciated. The catering team available on the train attended to you and also offered a replacement meal. Nevertheless, taking your feedback seriously and to further strengthen the quality, a senior official has been appointed to ensure compliance with all standards, and appropriate guidelines will be ensured accordingly," the reply by IRCTC read. महोदया, आपके द्वारा दिनाँक 11/07/25 को नई दिल्ली -लखनऊ तेजस एक्स्प्रेस ट्रेन में खानपान संबंधित फीडबैक के संदर्भ में अवगत कराना है कि भोजन की गुणवत्ता जाँच परोसने से पूर्व की जाती है और उक्त कोच से किसी और यात्रीगण की इस संबंध में कोई शिकायत प्राप्त नही हुई है, अपितु… — IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) July 12, 2025 This incident has sparked discussions on social media about the consistency of food quality on premium trains like the Tejas Express, with some users sharing similar experiences and others defending the railway's efforts to maintain standards. Many were also not satisfied with IRCTC's response. One user said, "@ IRCTC, what kind of ridiculous answer is this? Improve your service, don't blame the person who is raising a complaint.@RailMinIndia What kind of people have you appointed for consumer complaints.... pathetic." Another commented, "This reply from IRCTC exposes the rot within the system. Overcharging for meals and water is rampant across trains, not just one. Passengers complain, but your staff turns a blind eye every time . Instead of fake justifications, fix your corrupt food contractors." A third user added, "IRCTC, you can't run away from your responsibilities, as this is a routine to offer poor quality food to passengers. Recently, I travelled from Bhopal Shatabdi problem was the same. People don't complain as they know nothing will improve."
