News

Indian Railways nearing milestone to become world’s largest green network

As per the latest news reports, the entire broad gauge network of the railways will be fully electrified within the next few months, well ahead of the fiscal year-end. An interim budget has earmarked INR 6,500 crore for ongoing electrification projects. This move positions Indian Railways to become the world's largest environmentally friendly rail system, given that many regions in India have already achieved full electrification. While speaking to the media, a senior railway official in the know-how added that India is committed to complete electrification with a dedicated fund of INR 6,500 crore in the fiscal year 2025. Since 2014, the railways have invested over INR 46,425 crore in electrification efforts. While it will take some time for diesel locomotives to be phased out and replaced by electric engines, there has been a notable shift with more electric engines than diesel ones. As of December 2023, the railways had 10,238 electric and 4,543 diesel locomotives. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the railways electrified 7,188 kilometers of rail network, including routes like Ahmedabad-Rajkot-Okha (499 km), Bengaluru-Talguppa (371 km), and Bathinda-Firozpur-Jalandhar (301 km). This transition to electric traction is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 24% by 2027-28. Since 2014-15, the railways have electrified over 40,000 route kilometers on the broad gauge network, a significant increase compared to the years before 2014. Rail electrification is progressing at a rate approximately nine times faster than a decade ago, from 1.42 km per day in 2014-15 to about 19.6 km per day in 2023-24. Compared to the European Union, the UK, and the US, India is leading in rail electrification. Data indicates that Indian Railways are 95% electrified, surpassing figures of 56% in the EU, 38% in the UK, and only 1% in the US. Switzerland, however, stands at 99% electrification.

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Chhattisgarh: Ram temple in Sukma reopens after being closed for 21 years

After 21 years of closure due to Naxalite activity, an ancient Ram temple in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh was finally reopened on Monday, April 8th. In Kerlapenda village, located about 90 km from Sukma district headquarters in Bastar division, villagers came together to clean the temple premises and perform a puja ceremony for the idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman ji before resuming regular worship. Villagers and tribal communities in the Naxal-affected Chintalnar region of Sukma celebrated joyously with dance as the ancient temple in Bastar reopened after a 21-year closure. Working hand in hand with locals, CRPF jawans from the 74 Corps played a vital role in the temple's revival, marking a significant moment of unity and cultural restoration amidst challenging circumstances. Sukma SP Kiran Chavan addressed the situation, explaining that the temple had been forcibly shut down by the Naxalites in 2003. He elaborated that during this period of heightened Naxal activity, the Maoists had issued threats to the villagers, warning them against reopening the temple or engaging in worship there. Chavan highlighted that the area served as a crucial stronghold for the Maoists, often utilized for gatherings, meetings, and as a passage for their movements, thus emphasizing the strategic significance behind the temple. Since the establishment of around 40 security camps across Bastar, security personnel have gained access to remote villages. A new CRPF camp was set up between Kerlapenda and Lakhapal, facilitating interactions between local tribals and security forces who were previously unfamiliar with each other. During one of these interactions, a jawan noticed the closed temple and inquired about it. The locals revealed that Maoists had attempted to damage the temple in 2003, leading to its closure.

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Vande Bharat to undergo trials at 160 kmph on Mum-Ahm route to cut travel time

In February, the WR had approached the CRS, which is part of the Ministry of Aviation, for the last leg of permission. According to WR officials, they have completed engineering works on this route along with installing 792 route km of safety barriers and now will retrofit the 16-car Vande Bharat for a trial run. Mumbai: The Western Railway (WR) has received a green light from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to test faster Vande Bharat Express trains, slashing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. These trains, known for their speed and efficiency, will undergo trial runs at a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (kmph), up from the current 130 kmph. If successful, passengers can expect to save around 45 minutes on their journeys in the Mumbai and Ahmedabad route which takes around 5 hours, and 25 minutes. Last week, the WR authorities carried out an important work at Boisar which was to augment the system to effectively allow running trains at the speed of 160 kmph under ‘Mission Raftaar’ project. This will be among the first routes starting from Mumbai where Vande Bharat will operate as semi high-speed trains. In February, the WR had approached the CRS, which is part of the Ministry of Aviation, for the last leg of permission. According to WR officials, they have completed engineering works on this route along with installing 792 route km of safety barriers and now will retrofit the 16-car Vande Bharat for a trial run. “All the necessary works for running trains at 160 kmph have been completed on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. It will be an achievement that an Indian-made Vande Bharat train will run on trial anytime this month,” said a WR official.

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Travel warning issued for Aussies in Bali as end of Ramadan celebrations begins

Australians currently in Bali or planning a visit soon should allow for more travel time as Ramadan finishes in Indonesia. Most of Bali’s population is Muslim and the Eid al-Fitr holiday is a big celebration across the island. The huge festival means roads are expected to be busy, so tourists have been warned to allow for plenty of time to travel around the island. Smarttraveller Australia has warned tourists to “plan for significant delays”. “We’ve reviewed our advice for Indonesia and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution,” the website says. -ADVERTISEMENT- “The Idul Fitri holiday period will take place between 10–22 April. Many people will travel throughout the country, including the greater Jakarta area. “This may impact traffic and public transport, including airports, seaports, highways, toll roads, train and bus stations. Airports are expected to be busy. Plan your travel carefully and prepare for significant delays.” The national holiday period — also known as Lebaran — is celebrated between April 9 and April 15, along with the weekends on either side. The holiday celebrates the end of Ramadan, with a variety of dining experiences available at many of Bali’s popular restaurants. Ramadan involves a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community observed by Muslims worldwide. According to The Bali Sun, during the festival, the Bali airport is set to serve 473,000 domestic passengers and 538,000 international passengers. General manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport Handy Heryudhitiawan said the airport was ready to welcome crowds of Eid al-Fitr travellers. “We’ve also recorded requests for extra flights for 216 schedules consisting of 108 more arrival schedules and 108 departure schooled with the airlines Indonesia Air Asia, Citilink Indonesia, Lion Air, Super Air, Jet, and Wings Air,” he said.

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6 common reasons why most visas are rejected

Applying for a visa can be a nerve-wracking process, and unfortunately, many applicants even face rejection for various reasons. Understanding certain common mistakes can help you avoid them and increase your chances of a successful visa application. Here are six common reasons why most visas are rejected: Incomplete application One of the most frequent reasons for visa rejection is an incomplete application. This could include missing documents, unanswered questions, or failure to provide necessary information. It's crucial to carefully read and follow the visa application instructions to ensure all required documents and details are included. Incomplete travel details Insufficient travel details, such as vague itineraries or unclear plans, can raise red flags during the visa application process. Immigration officers need to know where you'll be staying, how long you'll be there, and your intended activities. Providing detailed and accurate travel plans can help demonstrate your purpose of visit and increase your chances of approval. Rule violations It might surprise you that many visa rejections occur due to applicants failing to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the immigration authorities. This could include providing false information, attempting to manipulate the system, or violating visa policies. Any discrepancies in your application can lead to immediate rejection. Purpose of travel not known Failing to clearly articulate your purpose of travel is another common reason for visa rejection. Whether you're visiting for tourism, business, education, or family reasons, it's essential to provide compelling reasons and supporting documents to justify your trip. Ambiguity or lack of clarity regarding your intentions can lead to doubts about your credibility and result in rejection. Issues with passport Problems with your passport, such as expiration, damage, or lack of blank pages, can also lead to visa rejection. Ensure your passport meets all the requirements specified by the immigration authorities, including validity for the duration of your intended stay and at least two blank pages for visa stamps. Failure to comply with passport regulations can result in immediate refusal. Insufficient funds If you are unable to show or provide proof of adequate financial means to support your trip, you might land in some trouble. Immigration authorities want assurance that you can cover your expenses during your stay and are not likely to overstay or engage in unauthorized employment. Providing bank statements, proof of income, or sponsorship letters can help substantiate your financial stability and increase your chances of visa approval.

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What is this mysterious tide? Millions of blue, alien-like creatures blanketing US beaches

From Oregon to California, masses of alien-like blue creatures are washing up on rocky beaches. These are called Velella velella, small colonies of organisms sporting a sombrero-esque fin atop and tentacles dangling down. If reports are to go by, this spring, millions have been spotted along the US west coast, much to the surprise and delight of beachgoers who eagerly shared footage on social media. Referred to as a ‘blue tide,’ this phenomenon occurs in most springs, though not always with the same abundance. Despite resembling a single organism, Velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, are actually colonies of creatures from a class called hydrozoa that use the wind for speed. Spending most of their lives in the open ocean, they navigate using tentacles that sting fish larvae or zooplankton, yet pose no threat to humans. While similar to coral in their colonial structure, such encounters on land are rare, notes a doctoral student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Various theories have been put forward to explain the brilliant blue colour of these creatures. Living at the air-ocean interface offers them few hiding spots from predators like the mola mola ocean sunfish, which consumes Velella. Their colour may aid in camouflaging among waves or serve as protection from UV rays. Living for months and travelling extensively around the Pacific gyre, Velella typically travels down the coast of California to Central America, then across to Japan and back, gliding along the surface akin to kite surfers. Experiencing boom-and-bust cycles during their journey, Velella populations surge when ample food is available, leading to mass strandings on shore, often in spring and sometimes in fall. Despite frequent encounters, Velella remain relatively unstudied in science, partly due to their surface-dwelling nature. Challenges in recreating their oceanic habitat in captivity hinder research efforts, leaving us with less knowledge compared to submersible jellyfish. One current area of study involves the relationship between Velella and ocean temperatures. Research by marine biologist Julia Parrish suggests warmer winters may contribute to increased mass strandings, possibly due to milder seas aiding colony survival. However, further investigation is required to confirm these hypotheses, requiring extensive studies of the organisms in their natural habitat.

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