Category Archives: News

Odisha’s Rail Network Gets Major Fillip as Daily Berhampur–Udhna Amrit Bharat Express and New Puri–Koraput Express Begin Operations

Berhampur, July 7 (UDN): Odisha’s railway infrastructure received a significant boost on Monday with the launch of two key passenger services—the Daily Berhampur–Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express and the new Puri–Koraput Express—aimed at improving connectivity within the State and with western India.

The two trains were flagged off by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during separate inauguration ceremonies held at Berhampur and Puri railway stations.

A major highlight of the announcement was the conversion of the Berhampur–Udhna Amrit Bharat Express from a tri-weekly service into a daily train. The move addresses a long-standing demand from passengers, particularly the large number of migrant workers, traders, students and families travelling regularly between Odisha and Gujarat.

Connecting Berhampur with Surat, one of India’s leading textile and industrial hubs, the train also serves important destinations across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Railway officials believe the daily service will provide greater travel flexibility, reduce waiting periods and strengthen economic and social ties between the regions.

The newly introduced Puri–Koraput Express is expected to significantly improve intra-state rail connectivity by linking the coastal belt with western and southern Odisha. The train will pass through several important stations, including Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, before reaching Koraput.

According to railway officials, the new service will enhance accessibility to tribal and interior districts, facilitate tourism to religious and scenic destinations, improve trade and business connectivity, and offer passengers a more convenient travel option across the State.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha is emerging as a key driver of India’s development and highlighted the Centre’s increased investment in the State’s railway sector.

“Odisha will serve as a growth engine for a developed India. The unprecedented investment in railway infrastructure will accelerate the State’s economic transformation and make Odisha more prosperous in the years ahead,“ he said.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of the Berhampur–Surat rail corridor, noting the strong social and economic ties between the two cities due to the large Odia population living and working in Surat.

“The Daily Berhampur–Udhna Amrit Bharat Express will greatly benefit passengers travelling between the two regions. Berhampur Railway Station will also be transformed into a world-class station. The design has been finalised, Phase-I preparations are complete, and construction will commence soon after the groundbreaking ceremony,” the Minister said.

The launch of the two services is expected to ease passenger demand, improve regional mobility and strengthen Odisha’s integration with major economic centres, while reinforcing Indian Railways’ efforts to expand modern, accessible and inclusive rail connectivity across the country.

Amarya Bajaj wins Dutch Junior Open U-13 squash title

New Delhi, July 6: Indian squash prodigy Amarya Bajaj has won the U-13 girls’ title at the Dutch Junior Open, marking a significant achievement in her young sporting career.

Amarya delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, showcasing consistency, agility, and control to secure the championship in her age category. Her victory adds to India’s growing presence in junior squash on the international stage.

Officials and coaches associated with the sport praised her achievement, noting that such performances reflect the rising depth of junior talent in Indian squash. The win is expected to boost her confidence as she prepares for upcoming international and national competitions.

Hockey India announces sub-junior men’s camp for Youth Hockey5s Asian C’ship

New Delhi, July 6: Hockey India has announced the list of players selected for the sub-junior men’s national coaching camp ahead of the upcoming Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship.

The selected players will undergo intensive training focused on fitness, speed, and skills required for the fast-paced Hockey5s format. The camp is part of preparations for the continental tournament.

Officials said selections were based on recent performances in national-level events and talent identification programmes. The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots development and build a competitive squad for international competition.

Glasner appointed new Nottingham Forest head coach

Nottingham, July 6: Nottingham Forest have appointed Oliver Glasner as their new head coach, marking a fresh leadership change at the Premier League club.

The club confirmed the appointment, stating that Glasner will take charge of the first team with immediate effect. He is expected to lead preparations ahead of upcoming fixtures and work closely with the club’s management on squad development and performance goals.

Glasner, known for his tactical approach and recent success in European football, will be tasked with strengthening Nottingham Forest’s competitiveness in domestic and league competitions.

Club officials expressed confidence that his experience and coaching style will help improve results and bring stability to the team.

Army Chief meets President at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, July 6: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, along with his spouse Komal Seth, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in a courtesy meeting.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn 

The Army Chief met the President as part of a formal interaction at the President’s official residence in the national capital. The meeting is part of routine engagements between the top leadership of the armed forces and the constitutional head of the country.

Officials said such interactions provide an opportunity for the Army leadership to brief the President on key developments related to national security, operational preparedness, and ongoing institutional initiatives, while also strengthening coordination at the highest level of governance.

The visit reflects the continued tradition of dialogue and engagement between the armed forces and the Rashtrapati Bhavan, underscoring the Army’s commitment to constitutional values and national service.

India proposes BRICS virtual anti-drug network at Guwahati meet

Guwahati, July 6: India has proposed the creation of a BRICS virtual anti-drug network to strengthen cooperation among member countries in combating drug trafficking and related transnational crimes, according to officials.

The proposal was discussed during a BRICS-related meeting held in Guwahati, where India highlighted the need for faster information sharing, coordinated enforcement actions, and improved digital intelligence mechanisms among member nations.

Officials said the proposed platform would help member countries exchange real-time data on drug trafficking routes, suspect networks, and emerging synthetic drug threats. It is aimed at improving coordination between law enforcement agencies and enhancing collective response capabilities.

India also emphasized the growing challenge of narcotics trafficking through digital platforms and cross-border networks, urging stronger international collaboration to address the issue effectively.

Nepal’s economy grows 3.51pc in Q3 despite prolonged slowdown: Report

July 6: Nepal’s economy expanded by 3.51% in the third quarter, according to a recent report, even as the country continues to experience a prolonged economic slowdown.

The report said the growth was driven by modest improvements in agriculture, services, and domestic trade. However, overall economic activity remained under pressure due to weak investment levels and subdued industrial performance.

It added that inflation concerns, limited private sector spending, and external economic pressures continue to weigh on growth prospects. Despite this, gradual recovery in consumption and select sectors provided some support to overall economic output.

Analysts said sustained reforms and stronger investment flows will be important to support more stable and higher growth in the coming quarters.

46 Fake Hotel Booking, VIP Darshan Websites Taken Down Ahead of Rath Yatra; Pilgrims Lose INR 10 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

Bhubaneswar, July 6 (UDN): With the annual Rath Yatra set to attract lakhs of devotees to Puri, cybercriminals have stepped up online scams by creating fake hotel booking portals and fraudulent VIP darshan websites to cheat unsuspecting pilgrims.

Representational image

The Odisha Crime Branch, in coordination with the Puri Police, has identified and taken down around 46 bogus websites that were allegedly being used to dupe devotees seeking accommodation and temple-related services online.

According to officials, fraudsters cloned websites of genuine hotels and created deceptive portals offering attractive room tariffs and guaranteed accommodation. These fake websites often appeared prominently in online search results, prompting devotees to make advance payments for bookings that never existed.

Cyber criminals were also found luring pilgrims with false promises of VIP darshan of Lord Jagannath in exchange for online payments. Victims were persuaded to transfer money through UPI and digital wallets, after which the fraudsters became unreachable by switching off their mobile phones or blocking communication.

Police said around 40 devotees were cheated of nearly ₹10 lakh in the past week alone through such fraudulent schemes.

In view of the increasing number of cyber fraud cases, the Crime Branch has issued a public advisory urging devotees to remain vigilant while making online bookings. Pilgrims have been advised to verify hotel contact details through reliable sources, avoid clicking on unknown links or the first search results without verification, and refrain from making full advance payments to unverified entities.

Authorities have also recommended booking accommodation only through trusted travel platforms or official tourism websites and cautioned the public against anyone claiming to offer special or VIP darshan in exchange for money.

The Crime Branch has appealed to victims of cyber fraud to immediately report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to facilitate prompt action and improve the chances of recovering the lost amount.

Police said surveillance of online platforms has been intensified, and strict action will continue against those attempting to exploit devotees during the Rath Yatra.

Gadkari Reviews Key Infrastructure Projects Under NHLML

July 6: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed key projects being implemented by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing world-class infrastructure across the country.

During the review, Gadkari described the ongoing initiatives as transformative projects that are laying the foundation for the next generation of India’s infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of building modern, efficient, and sustainable transport and logistics networks to support economic growth and improve connectivity.

The projects under review are aimed at strengthening logistics infrastructure, enhancing highway-linked facilities, and improving the overall efficiency of the country’s transportation ecosystem. Officials also discussed the progress of ongoing works and strategies for timely implementation.

The government said such infrastructure initiatives are expected to boost trade, facilitate smoother movement of goods, create employment opportunities, and contribute to India’s long-term economic development.

Super Typhoon Bavi Slams Northern Mariana Islands, Guam on High Alert

 Representational Image

July 6: Category 5 Super Typhoon Bavi has made landfall on Rota, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and dangerous conditions across the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

With winds reaching up to 346 km/h in gusts and heavy rainfall expected, authorities have warned residents to stay indoors or move to designated shelters. The storm has already caused power outages and raised concerns over flash floods and damage to infrastructure.

The region is still recovering from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which struck earlier this year, making the latest storm an even greater challenge for affected communities. Emergency teams remain on alert as hazardous weather is expected to continue until the typhoon moves away.