Samastipur residents hail Namo Bharat Rapid rail as a ‘big thing for Bihar’

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Samastipur (Bihar), April 24 (IANS) With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagging off the first 16-coach Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service between Bihar’s Jayanagar and capital Patna, marking a significant expansion in India’s semi-high-speed rail network, residents of Samastipur are elated.

The launch took place during the National Panchayati Raj Day programme in Bihar’s Madhubani. Alongside this flagship train, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, and new passenger services between Pipra and Saharsa, and Saharsa and Samastipur.

The Prime Minister also led a moment of silence to honour the victims of the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.

This new Namo Bharat service is India’s first with 16 coaches – an upgrade from the 12-coach version introduced last year on the Ahmedabad-Bhuj route. Railway officials stated that the increase in coach capacity aims to meet the high passenger demand on this route, connecting major towns like Madhubani, Sakri, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Barauni, and Mokama to Patna.

The train recently arrived in Samastipur, where passengers expressed their excitement to IANS.

Passenger Shubham Karn said: “This is a very good train. The government has provided excellent facilities. Now, it’s up to us to maintain its cleanliness. The centralised AC is very effective, and both the train and the toilets are perfect. Everything is top-notch. I’ve made videos of the ride—it runs at 110 km/h across all sections. It’s a big thing for Bihar.”

Another passenger, Rajiv Kumar Mishra, said: “The rapid train is a great development, especially for the Maithili-speaking community. It’s admirable that Prime Minister Modi went ahead with the launch despite the tragic attack. I want to thank him for this initiative.”

Mishra, who is also a railway employee, added: “The Prime Minister has given Bihar a train as impressive as his vision. This is the first rapid rail for our region. People can now reach Patna in just three hours for only Rs 200.”

–IANS

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The CM argued that this initiative would help those 9 lakh people access all government services without any hassle.

He also credited the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and state for the development of Assam.

Sarma said, “The Double Engine Govt in Delhi and Dispur is committed to ensuring the growth and development of the people of Assam. With Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s intervention and Shri Amit Shah ji’s proactive approach, over 9 lakh people in Assam got their #Aadhar biometric unlocked in 2024 allowing them to access all Govt services and facilities in a hassle-free manner.”

Earlier, Sarma said, “There were more than 9 lakh people in Assam who were not getting Aadhaar cards due to locking in their biometrics when the NRC updating procedure was going through in the state. Those citizens were facing issues in getting scholarships and other government benefits. We formed a cabinet sub-committee to study the matter.”

According to the Chief Minister, the cabinet sub-committee observed that since there was no relation between the Aadhaar card and NRC, the 9-lakh people in the state should get their Aadhaar cards.

“As the people were facing difficulties, we have taken this issue with the central government and after continuous discussion of two years, the Centre has decided to provide them with Aadhaar cards. The UIDAI authority was also notified accordingly,” he had said, adding that 9,35,642 people would get their Aadhaar cards.

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–IANS

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Punjab Police arrest juvenile among two of ISI-backed terror module

Chandigarh, Dec 13 (IANS) Punjab Police on Friday claimed to have disrupted Pakistan’s ISI-backed terror module being operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harvinder Rinda and Harpreet Singh with the arrest of two members, who confessed to having placed an improvised explosive device (IED) at a police station in Ajnala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.

Those arrested have been identified as Jashandeep Singh, a resident of Amritsar, a 17-year-old juvenile. Police teams have also recovered two Chinese-made P86 hand grenades and one sophisticated Turkey-made 9MM Zigana pistol along with ammunition from their possession.

The development came less than three weeks after the recovery of an IED planted close to the Police Station on November 23, 2024. Pertinently, the terrorist organisation BKI used social media platforms to claim responsibility for the terror act.

DGP Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed that accused Jashandeep Singh Danny and the other arrested accused were in touch with Gurdev Jaisal, who allured them to work for him in lieu of money and drugs. Apart from planning terror activities, Jaisal also used them for drug peddling, he added.

He said both the accused confessed to having placed an IED at the police station following directions of their handlers and also revealed that they had received various consignments of weapons and explosives.

The DGP said further investigations are being conducted to unearth the entire network of Rinda, Happy Passia and Jaisal. Efforts are being made to identify and apprehend other members of this group to bring the case to a logical end, he added.

Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General (State Special Operation Cell) Sukhminder Singh Mann said they have received a tip-off that Rinda, Passia and Jaisal have mobilised their associates to carry out anti-national activities in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Batala areas and also arranged huge consignment of weapons and explosives for them to execute the plans of targeting government establishments.

Acting swiftly, the teams launched an intel-based operation and arrested accused Jashandeep Danny and his juvenile accomplice from the Amritsar area after recovering arms and explosives from their possession, he added.

–IANS

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Union Minister stresses on implementation of flagship schemes for women, children

Shillong, April 15 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur on Tuesday held a series of meetings here underscoring the commitment of the Central and state governments towards collaborative governance and improving the lives of women and children in Meghalaya, officials said.

A senior official said that in line to strengthen the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Programmes of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Thakur, conducted a comprehensive review with senior officials of the Meghalaya government’s social welfare department.

The discussions focused on assessing progress in flagship schemes such as Poshan Abhiyan, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasised the need for strengthening service delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level, especially in the functioning of Anganwadi Centres, the official said.

The review highlighted critical areas including the need for regular and high-quality supplementary nutrition under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), improving infrastructure at Anganwadi Centres to ensure they are child and women-friendly, leveraging technology for real-time monitoring and beneficiary tracking, encouraging active community participation, and capacity building of Anganwadi workers for improved service outcomes.

The Minister lauded the efforts of the state government and stated, “Despite the difficulties in connectivity and electricity, officials are working with dedication to ensure that all schemes are effectively implemented.”

Thakur commended the efforts of the officials and encouraged them to keep updating data on the Poshan Tracker, as these reports help the Ministry respond quickly to on-ground needs.

She further added: “We are committed to fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, and every step we take in empowering women and children brings us closer to that goal”.

Further, an in-depth review was held with the East Khasi Hills district administration as part of the Minister’s visit to the northeastern region.

Attended by local MLA Ollan Singh Suin and representatives of various departments, the meeting included detailed presentations on the status of development schemes and infrastructure projects in the district.

Discussions centred around the implementation of schemes related to women and child development, health, education, rural development, and livelihood generation, along with an assessment of progress in remote and rural areas and identification of key challenges.

Later, the Union Minister of State met Meghalaya Governor C H Vijayashankar at the Raj Bhavan. The meeting included discussions on state-led initiatives to enhance women and child welfare and boost community-based interventions for inclusive development.

The visit reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening the northeastern region through focused development, inclusive growth, and enhanced delivery of welfare schemes.

–IANS

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