News

Ayodhya’s Ram Temple wins prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ award for safety excellence

The Ram temple project in Ayodhya has earned the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ award from the British Safety Council, marking a significant milestone in safety management practices. As reported by The Hindu, the announcement was made on December 15, 2024, by Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Construction Committee of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. If reports are to go by, the Sword of Honour award is one of the highest accolades in safety management, and is given to projects that meet the highest standards where safety is concerned. The British Safety Council conducts a comprehensive audit of processes and practices before performing an on-site assessment. Projects that have a five-star rating in safety assessments are then eligible to compete for the ‘Sword of Honour’ award. The award recognises the Ram temple project’s commitment to maintaining stringent safety protocols during its construction, led by M/s Larsen & Toubro. The firm had earlier received the ‘Golden Trophy’ from the National Safety Council for its exemplary safety measures at the temple site. As per reports, there’s been a lot of progress made on the construction of the Ram temple. The construction of the first and second floors, including the temple's “Shikhar” (top), is in its final phase and is expected to be completed by June 2025. The temple is also set to feature intricate marble statues of Shri Ram Darbar, along with depictions of sages and notable figures from Hindu scriptures such as Maharishi Valmiki, Ahilya Devi, Nishad Raaj, Sabri, Muni Vashishth, Agatsya Muni, Rishi Vishwamitra, and Goswami Tulsidas. These statues are scheduled to be completed by January 2025. The Ram temple, a stone structure, is being constructed using approximately 15 lakh cubic feet of Bansi Paharpur stone sourced from Rajasthan. Renowned artists and architects, including Vasudev Kamath, Shri Sompura, and Shri Jay Kaktikar, have played an instrumental role in its design.

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Cruise ship service to launch on Tehri Lake; Uttarakhand

Very soon, tourists will be able to experience cruise ship service in Uttarakhand. As per the latest news reports, a cruise ship service is all set to commence on the pristine waters of Tehri Lake, in a move to boost tourism in Uttarakhand. It’s expected that this initiative will create new opportunities for local communities, while also offering tourists the opportunity to explore the region’s rich village tourism offerings. The manager of the cruise ship, Vijay Bisht, expressed his excitement and described the idea as an "unprecedented move," one that could increase tourism in the area. He went on to say that the opening of a cruise line on the world's tallest dam, Tehri Dam, would not only increase tourism but also perhaps contribute to employment creation for people. The project will also boost tourism in the village, he added. "We want more such activities here," he said. Uttarakhand is making all efforts to boost its tourism industry, and along with its breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings, Lake Tehri is one such place that provides countless opportunities for leisure, adventure, and cultural tourism. On a parallel note, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a series of measures to further elevate the state’s appeal as a winter destination. To attract more visitors during the season, the government has introduced a 25% discount on stays at Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) hotels.

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Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link: Final Track Work Done, Vande Bharat to Launch Soon

The Northern Railway has achieved a significant milestone by completing one of the most challenging rail projects in the Himalayan region. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link now connects Kashmir with the rest of the country. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the completion of the final track work, calling it a “historic milestone.” The last phase involved Tunnel T-33, a 3.2 km-long tunnel at the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, connecting Katra to Reasi. The 45 km section between Reasi and Sangaldan, featuring the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, has also been completed. Trial runs have already been conducted successfully. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link is a national project undertaken to build a railway through the challenging Himalayan terrain. With 750 bridges and over 100 km of tunnels, the project tested the limits of railway engineering. The longest tunnel spans 11.2 km, and the iconic Chenab Bridge, towering 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, symbolises the achievement. This all-weather and affordable rail connectivity is expected to transform Kashmir by boosting tourism and economic growth. Tourist inflow is projected to nearly double, providing a major boost to the region.

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HSRA Opens Office in Newcastle, Birthplace of Australia’s First High-Speed Rail

The High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) officially inaugurated its office in Newcastle today, cementing the city’s role as the birthplace of Australia’s first high-speed rail line. The move represents a significant step forward in the Albanese Government’s $500 million commitment to developing a transformative east coast high-speed rail network. In addition to the new office, an information centre has been established to engage the community in the project and showcase preliminary station designs and carriage interiors. The centre is set to open officially in the new year but welcomed locals for a sneak peek today, offering a glimpse into the potential integration of high-speed rail into communities. The rail line will connect Newcastle to Sydney in approximately one hour, with stations planned in central Newcastle, the Central Coast, and central Sydney. Additional intermediate stations are under consideration. The cutting-edge trains, capable of speeds up to 320 km/h, will feature onboard high-speed Wi-Fi, food and beverage options, luggage storage, and pet-friendly areas, aiming to redefine comfort and convenience in regional travel.

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Mumbai to get Gold Line Metro soon to connect with Navi Mumbai

Mumbai will soon get the Gold Line Metro, also known as Metro 8, connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, as the new Maharashtra government is planning to decide on the executing agency for this crucial infrastructure project. Right now, there is no mass rapid transport system (MRTS) to link the two airports, and the Metro 8 corridor will be designed to bridge this gap. It should be noted that the Gold Line Metro project was the main topic of discussion ahead of the assembly elections to determine which agency would handle its execution, as the route spans both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The MMRDA and the Maharashtra government said they supported the execution of the project by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) through the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro). As the Navi Mumbai International Airport is all set to open next year, the newly-formed government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is now expected to expedite the Metro 8 project.

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Russia may soon allow visa-free travel for Indian tourists

For all those planning a trip to Russia, here is some good news. They might soon be able to enjoy the convenience of visiting Russia without the hassle of applying for a visa, with the possibility of this visa-free arrangement being implemented as early as spring 2025. As reported earlier, in June 2024, Russia and India held discussions regarding a bilateral agreement aimed at easing visa requirements, particularly through the introduction of visa-free group tourist exchanges. As of now, Indian tourists are currently required to undergo a rigorous visa application process in order to visit Russia. Depending on the reason for their trip, Indian travellers need to apply for various visa categories, including tourist, business, employment, student, and humanitarian visas. This means they need to attend to the frequent calls for extensive documentation and careful planning. However, if the new initiative is brought in place, this procedure might become considerably easier. Evgeny Kozlov, the chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, estimates that as of the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian visitors visited Moscow, a 1.5-fold increase over the previous year. Most of these travellers visited Russia for work-related or business-related purposes. Russia has already instituted a similar visa-free arrangement for Chinese and Iranian citizens through a tourism exchange program that began on August 1, 2023. Russia is now considering providing Indian passport holders with the same benefits as a result of the program's success. Currently, Indian nationals can visit 62 countries without a visa, and as of August 2023, they can apply for a Unified E-Visa (UEV) to enter Russia. Entry into all of Russia for personal, professional, or recreational reasons is possible with this visa, which usually takes four days to process.

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