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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
PM to flag off 2nd Vande Bharat train for Gorakhpur today
Gorakhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the second Vande Bharat Express for Gorakhpur on Friday, said Satish Kumar, CEO and chairman, railway board, during his visit to Gorakhpur Junction on Thursday. The new train will connect Patliputra to Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Narkatiaganj, further boosting connectivity in the region. Accompanied by NER general manager Saumya Mathur and senior railway officials, Kumar conducted an extensive inspection of station premises, integrated crew lobby, running room, and other passenger facilities. He also reviewed the station redevelopment plans under the Rs 500-crore Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to equip Gorakhpur Junction with world-class amenities including a roof plaza, spacious lounges, food courts, retail outlets, children's play zones and Divyang-friendly infrastructure like ramps, lifts and Braille signage. Praising quality and pace of redevelopment, Kumar said Gorakhpur Junction, which already holds distinction of having the world's second-longest platform, is poised to become a leader in passenger comfort as well. He highlighted a record budget allocation of Rs 19,858 crore for railway development in UP for 2025-26—18 times more than the average outlay during 2009–2014. He noted that 157 stations in the state, including 58 in the NER zone, were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat scheme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He also provided updates on major capacity expansion projects such as new lines and third-line construction across eastern UP, including the Khalilabad-Bahraich corridor and doubling work between Domingarh and Kusmhi. During his visit, Kumar also held a cordial dialogue with union leaders, assuring them that employee concerns around promotions, wages, and workplace safety will be addressed on priority.
The Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Has Development in Northeast India Undermined Its Environmental Sustainability?
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Has Development in Northeast India Undermined Its Environmental Sustainability? Atribh Deka 20 minutes ago Urbanisation and infrastructure development policies seldom align with the natural lifecycles of rivers, forests and mountains. Commuters on a waterlogged road after heavy rainfall, in Guwahati. Photo: PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The Rising North East Investors Summit on May 23 sparked curiosity and optimism among entrepreneurs and investors in Northeast India as Prime Minister Modi unveiled a vision of seamless highways, cross-border bridges, and a Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor plant, positioning the region as India's new gateway to Southeast Asian markets. However, an event in Arunachal Pradesh contrasted with this celebratory occasion. On the same day, in Arunachal Pradesh's Siang district, villagers torched bridges and protested, vowing that they will die for their lands, as they opposed the proposed 12,000 megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which they see as a threat to the community groves and floodplains. In this context, the government's narrative of 'Northeast as India's new gateway to Southeast Asia' shows a hollowness when, just miles away from the announcement of the vision and development projects, the supposed beneficiaries are worried about the devastating prospect of a dam that could submerge their heritage and livelihoods. There is no doubt that over the last decade, urbanisation and hydropower initiatives have boosted NER's industrial economy. This economic boost has also brought an environmental burden through forest clearance, riverbank erosion and polluted air. This collision between industrialisation schemes and environmental degradation raises two important questions: Is economic development dependent on the sacrifice of living ecosystems? And whose progress is it that truly counts? Infrastructure expansion Since 2017, India's Northeast has undergone major infrastructural expansions. Most notable among them are the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' allocation of Rs 60,093 crore to construct 4,686 kms of new national highways under schemes like Bharatmala and the JICA-supported North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project, which will connect remote districts and establish new cross-border routes. The North East Gas Grid, a 1,670 km pipeline costing Rs 9,265 crore, is now 84% complete and will supply industrial and household gas to all eight states. In Assam, new industrial parks at Tezpur, Tinsukia, Silchar and Hajo are expected to attract manufacturing by providing ready-made facilities. A major highlight is the construction of over a dozen flyovers in Guwahati between 2017 and 2024, built to ease congestion. These recent infrastructure developments promise to rewire a region long marginalised within India's GDP, just 2.8% as per the 2023-24 stats. Financial targets include doubling Assam's US$69 billion Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by 2030, cutting the national logistics costs from 14% of GDP to a more competitive 8-9 percent, and positioning the Northeast as a land gateway for an India-ASEAN trade boom from US$125 billion to US$200 billion. Employment projections estimate the creation of 30,000 jobs at the semiconductor plant, and hundreds of thousands of ancillary roles, in plans to reduce the persistent challenge of youth out-migration from the region. However, delays in projects, rugged terrain and land-acquisition disputes expose a recurring 'execution deficit.' Cross-border corridors, like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway, may remain super sensitive to geopolitical volatility, while local skill shortages and environmental concerns further complicate implementation risks. Thus, policy promises of connectivity, industrial diversification, and improved livelihoods hinge less on headline investment figures than on robust governance and genuine capacity-building at the grassroots level. Environmental effects of development in northeast India The more concrete networks of roads, bridges, and pipelines are extended in the NER, the more environmental deficits are recorded. Between 2013 and 2023, for instance, the Northeast lost a staggering 3,132 sq. km of natural forest, an area larger than Mumbai, due to the expansion of roads, railways, and hydropower projects piercing through the once-unbroken forests. New highway corridors such as NH-715A (Bagrakote–Pakyong) in Sikkim and the four-laning of NH-27 (Nagaon–Holongi) in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have necessitated the diversion of forest land authorised under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The Dibang Multipurpose Project and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh threaten riparian habitats, which will affect the migration of avian species and disrupt ecological flows in the Siyom and Subansiri tributaries. Commercial plantations expose slightly different issues that don't encourage the continuance of indigenous sustainability-driven lifestyles and traditions. For instance, although Tripura's rubber monocultures and Meghalaya's eucalyptus concession programmes add to the 'tree cover' gains, they partly fail to replace native dipterocarp and bamboo forests. Policy interventions, like the mandatory Compensatory Afforestation under the 2002 Amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, have, in practice, fallen short of their stated objectives. The traditional jhum (shifting cultivation) systems, regulated by the Meghalaya Jhum Land Lease Policy (2011) and Manipur's Community Rights under the Forest Rights Act (2006), are dismissed as backward, even though extended resting cycles are scientifically proven to maintain soil fertility. India's climate policies, in this context, reflect a blind reliance on 'high-modernist' methods, assuming that a universal, technocratic formula for land governance applies across diverse ecologies. Such one-size-fits-all prescriptions not only undermine the indigenous and proven agricultural methods but also erode the socio-ecological practices of jhum plots, sacred groves, and shifting fields that have, for generations, sustained Northeast India's rich biodiversity. Guwahati presents a uniquely peculiar case In Guwahati, plans for a flyover along the GNB Road threatened to cut down century-old trees around the historic Dighalipukhuri in November 2024. In response, concerned protestors and journalists filed a PIL in the Gauhati high court. The Assam PWD then refiled an affidavit confirming that the flyover's ramps would be realigned to begin at Lamb Road and Rabindra Bhawan, sparing the Dighalipukhuri banks and the surrounding trees. The ongoing unprecedented flooding in Guwahati is further evidence of the environmental toll directly affecting citizens. The city recorded an alarming 111 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, breaking a 67-year-old record, which triggered deadly landslides that claimed at least five lives. Prolonged power cuts, which were a safety precaution, disrupted communication and paralysed daily lives, exposing urban vulnerabilities. The chronic waterlogging in Jorabat, 'partially influenced' by unregulated development upstream in Meghalaya, forced the two states' chief ministers Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma to meet for an urgent inter-state policy action. All this, ironically, undermines the grand vision of transforming Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, into a 'smart city,' where there's no proper drainage system that can respond to runoff from the surrounding hills. Prospects for sustainable development Despite climate policy interventions, the National Mission for a Green India, and the Forest Rights Act's community protections, these frameworks have been systematically outpaced by the region's push for roads, dams and industrial corridors. Environmental impact assessments are often fast-tracked or skipped when flagship ventures, like the North East Gas Grid or the semiconductor hub, loom large in New Delhi's development narrative. As Arunachal villagers now blockade the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and floods affect thousands, the gap between the vision for development and sustainable survival could not be more evident. Urbanisation and infrastructure development policies seldom align with the natural lifecycles of rivers, forests and mountains. Perhaps true progress will come when NER's next chapters are built not only in concrete, but also in the living, breathing landscapes that have sustained this region for centuries. Atribh Deka is a graduate in Political Science (Honours) from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and is currently pursuing his Master's of Arts in Media Governance. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Northeast India Floods: Over 30 Dead, IMD Issues Alert When Wealth Rules, Cities Drown An Open Letter: 'I Have Small Eyes, Mr Prime Minister' Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai, Administration Issues Red Alert, Urges Citizens to Stay Indoors Bengaluru Rains Have Returned the Garbage We Carelessly Dumped Mumbai Floods: Aaditya Thackeray, Varsha Gaikwad Slam BJP-BMC Over Civic Collapse As India and Canada's Foreign Ministers Speak Over Phone, Signs of a Further Thaw in Ties Listen: India's Reaction to Turkey is Understandable, But We Should Not Give Up on Diplomacy with it G20 Is Too Elite. There's a Way To Fix That Though – Economists View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
NER holds 3-day drive to promote cleanliness, eco-friendly initiatives
Gorakhpur: The North Eastern Railway (NER) launched a three-day awareness campaign from May 31 to June 2, focusing on cleanliness, waste segregation, and environmental conservation ahead of the World Environment Day to be observed on June 5, said CPRO, NER Pankaj Kumar Singh. During the campaign, special emphasis was laid on cleanliness of parks, public awareness on hygiene and sustainable practices. Art competitions were also conducted for children to sensitize them about environmental issues, while engaging street plays promoted the use of eco-friendly jute bags among public, he said. Hands-on training sessions was also held for railway staff on waste segregation, composting, and recycling techniques. Intensive inspections of bio-toilets across stations and coaches were carried out to reinforce sanitation standards. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo o foster environmental consciousness among the youth, drawing and essay competitions were held in schools located within railway colonies. These activities aimed to instil awareness on climate change, plastic reduction, and ecological balance in students and their families, Singh said. In a bid to reduce paper consumption, passengers were encouraged to switch to digital ticketing through the UTS mobile app and the IRCTC website. Railway staff actively supported and guided passengers in adopting mobile and paperless ticketing options wherever feasible. These initiatives were undertaken across divisions including Izzatnagar, Lucknow, and Varanasi, along with NER's production units, the CPRO said.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Guwahati, Agartala turning gateways to Southeast Asia, says Jyotiraditya Scindia
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of the northeastern region, on Thursday said that Guwahati and Agartala are being made gateways to Southeast Asian nations, given their proximity to these countries. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Scindia underscored the significance of the Northeast as a centre piece of India's progress with the decadal growth rate exceeding 12-13 per cent. 'You'll be astonished that flying time from Guwahati to Mumbai is the same as the flying time from Guwahati to Singapore. The flying time from Agartala to Chennai is the same as the flying time from Agartala to Bangkok. And so it is our government's resolve that Guwahati and Agartala will be made into international gateways to connect to the rest of Southeast Asia, ' the minister said. He added that the eight states of the Northeast would emerge as the engine driving India's ambition of Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister has transformed the Northeast through landmark initiatives -- gross budgetary support for infrastructure investments has gone up significantly in areas such as airports, national highways, etc. Tax devolution to NER states has grown multifold, while grants-in-aid have nearly doubled. The Northeast is being visualised as the gateway for trade with South-East Asia. The minister alluded that India is leading the revolution in technology and telecommunications space at present. He said that India is seen as a digital-first economy, and there is a telecom revolution currently underway. The minister further added that scalability has reduced the cost of communication, which is among the lowest in the world. He added that the country has achieved 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in telecom and is among the four countries manufacturing the technology stack. Technology is also transforming the postal department with new services being introduced in the postal system, added the Minister. Congratulating CII on the AGM theme of building trust, the Minister stated that CII has made a remarkable contribution to developmental efforts, which impact every citizen in the country and said that building trust is founded on the principle of consistency. India, emerging as the fourth largest economy in the world, is a commendable achievement, he said. Sanjiv Puri, President, CII, while congratulating the Minister for garnering investment interest of Rs 4.3 lakh crore from the Rising North-East Investors Summit 2025, stated that the North-East was transforming into India's strategic gateway to South-East Asia, powering trade, connectivity and our ambition for Viksit Bharat. There is tremendous scope for industry participation in areas such as developing skill hubs in hospitality, food processing etc, which should be leveraged for maximum advantage, he added. (ANI)
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Indian Railways' Handball Teams win at 36th Federation Cup
Gorakhpur: Indian Railways' men and women handball teams emerged as champions at the 36th Federation Cup National Handball Championship held at Veer Bahadur Singh Sports College, Gorakhpur, from May 23 to 26, said CPRO, NER, Pankaj Kumar Singh. The winning women's team featured four players from NER — Sushma, Monika, Jyoti, and Asha — while the men's team included Nand Kishore Yadav, Happy, Bhupendra, Ravindra Pal, and Sunil. A dditionally, NER players Manjula Pathak, Moni Chaudhary, Priya, and Mona represented the Uttar Pradesh women's team, which finished as runners-up. NER's Raj Kumar Yadav also served as manager for the Indian Railways men's team. In another sports achievement, the newly built lawn tennis courts at Syed Modi Railway Stadium in Gorakhpur hosted the two-day Chhotelal Memorial Tennis Tournament on May 26 and 27. Inaugurated by NERSA general secretary/ CPRO Pankaj Kumar Singh, the tournament witnessed participation of 50 boys and girls across 8, 10, 14, and 16-year age groups under the supervision of Anand Jeet Lal.
