English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Bullet trains only for elite, Railways services in poor state: Metro man E Sreedharan

Published

on

Bullet trains only for elite, Railways services in poor state: Metro man E Sreedharan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious bullet train project has been dubbed as “expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary people” and one that “will cater only to the elite community” by E Sreedharan, popularly known as the Metro Man of the country.

Notably, his comments come just a week after Modi government chose E Sreedharan to head a committee to lay down standards for metro rail systems in the country, said a report in The Economic Times (ET).

Sreedharan, in an interview to The Hindustan Times (HT), said bullet trains are beyond the reach of common man and that it will cater only to the elite community. Stating that the Indian Railways is 20 years behind those of advanced nations, he said what India needs is a modern, clean, safe and fast railway system.

Sreedharan said, “Bullet trains will cater only to the elite community. It is highly expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary people. What India needs is a modern, clean, safe and fast rail system.”

The Japan-backed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project costing $17 billion is expected to be constructed by August 2022. Modi has called the project crucial for his pet ‘Make in India’ campaign aimed at lifting the share of manufacturing in India’s $2 trillion economy. The government also hopes to generate hundreds of jobs through the train project.

The project has been questioned on other counts as well. Actor Nandita Das tweeted: “‏Sreedharan isn’t the only one who thinks the bullet train is a bad idea. So do farmers in South Gujarat.”


Sreedhanarn, 86, is a retired officer of the Indian Engineering Service and advisor to several Metro projects in India.

Refuting claims that the Indian Railways has made progress with bio-toilets, speed and cleanliness, Sreedharan said, “Apart from bio-toilets, there is no technical upgradation. Speed has not increased. In fact, the average speed of most prestigious trains has come down.”

Talking about train timings and late running of trains, he said, “Punctuality is worst – officially 70%, actually less than 50%.”

Speaking on the railway accidents and deaths, he said, “Accident record has not improved. Many also die on tracks, at level-crossings, in suburban sections. Almost 20,000 lives are lost on tracks yearly. I feel Indian Railways is 20 years behind those of advanced nations.”

Sreedharan will head a newly constituted high-level committee to lay down indigenous technical standards for all metro rail systems across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared Sreedharan’s appointment last month.

India News

PM Modi says Congress badly exposed after Kharge’s comments on election promises

“Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!” the Prime Minister said.

Published

on

Reacting apparently to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s comment on poll promises, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the grand old party, saying they are badly exposed in front of the people.

In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development, the Prime Minister said in a post on X. “Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes,” he claimed.

The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible, Modi said. “Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, Kharge made the guarantees remark while pulling up Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over his statement that the state government would review the ‘Shakti’ guarantee.

“If we do not go as per the budget, we will go bankrupt and there will be no money to even develop roads. If this government fails, there will be nothing left to pass on to the next generation (of Congress leaders) except for the bad name and the latter has to bear the brunt for another 10 years,” he said while interacting with reporters.

However, Shivakumar on Friday said his statement on the ‘Shakti scheme’ was distorted and presented as if the Congress government in the state wanted to withdraw it.

“Check any state where the Congress has Governments today – Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana- the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states,” PM Modi said.

The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted, he added.

“The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress oriented and action driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old,” said PM Modi.

In Himachal Pradesh, salaries of Government workers are not paid on time, PM Modi claimed. The Prime Minister said, in Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised.

Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan Congress promised certain allowances which were never implemented for five years, he said. The Prime Minister said there are numerous such examples of how the Congress works.

Continue Reading

India News

Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah attends BJP leader Devender Rana’s last rites

Rana is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh.

Published

on

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday paid the last rites of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana. Abdullah was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Satish Sharma and Javed Ahmed Rana, and Party Treasurer Shammi Oberoi.

The 59-year-old Rana, BJP MLA from Nagrota and brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, passed away on Thursday at a private hospital in Haryana’s Faridabad.

Rana is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh.

“The terrible news from late last night isn’t really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

Apart from Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were among those who attended the last rites of Rana.

On his demise, the National Conference party said: “JKNC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President & Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Devender Rana, MLA Nagrota. They expressed their heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters, acknowledging his dedicated service and contributions to the people of J&K. The JKNC leadership and party members stand in solidarity with his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the demise of Rana and said he was a veteran leader who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress.

“Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji’s untimely demise is shocking. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi said on X.

In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Rana, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people, made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family, he added.

BJP chief JP Nadda also paid tribute to the party leader and said: “His dedication to public service and contributions towards the development of the people of Jammu & Kashmir will be remembered. His departure is an irreparable loss to the party”.

Rana’s elder brother and Union Minister Jitendra Singh posted on X, “Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable but painful and the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times”.

Continue Reading

India News

After India-China disengagement, Indian troops start patrolling Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that he interacted with Chinese soldiers at Bumla Pass during Diwali celebration with Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.

Published

on

Two days after the disengagement between India and China, Indian troops started patrolling the Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh on Friday.

On Wednesday, both countries agreed to disengage and initiate coordinated patrols based on their understanding of the Line of Actual Control in the Demchok and Depsang sectors.

Patrolling by Indian troops in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh kicked off Friday. Patrolling in the Depsang sector is expected to start soon, according to ANI. Coordinated patrolling means that both sides will be aware of each other’s patrol schedules.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that he interacted with Chinese soldiers at Bumla Pass during the Diwali celebration with Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.

Sharing a video of him interacting with the Chinese soldiers on X, Rijiju said: “After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India’s border development now.”

The Union Minister said he also celebrated Diwali at the Army Helipad in Tawang. “It felt proud to celebrate Diwali with brave soldiers. Our country is safe only because of their dedication and courage. Jai Hind!” the senior BJP leader said.

On Thursday, soldiers from India and China shared sweets at various border locations in the Ladakh sector to celebrate Diwali. The exchange occurred at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.

Additionally, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasised that rebuilding trust along the LAC would be a gradual process, aiming to revert to the status quo of April 2020. He detailed that key measures—disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management—are vital for alleviating tensions between the two nations. He also noted that this process would occur in phases, with each stage focusing on diminishing hostilities.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong remarked that differences between neighboring countries like India and China are natural, but the critical aspect lies in how these differences are managed and resolved.

The border standoff began in eastern Ladakh in 2020 due to Chinese military actions and has led to prolonged tensions that have significantly affected relations between the two countries.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com