In response to the increasing demand for quicker and more comfortable rail travel between Howrah and Puri, Indian Railways has announced a 25% increase in the capacity of the 22895/22896 Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express. The East Coast Railway shared this update on Friday.

Starting today, the train will now feature 20 coaches instead of the previous 16, with the addition of four AC Chair Car Coaches. This upgrade will enhance the train’s capacity to accommodate the rising number of passengers utilizing this prestigious semi-high-speed service.

The updated configuration will include 16 AC Chair Car Coaches, 2 Executive Chair Car Coaches, and 2 Crew & AC Chair Car Coaches.

The Puri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train operating between Howrah Junction in West Bengal and Puri in Odisha, covering a distance of 500 km in approximately 6.5 hours. It runs six days a week, excluding Thursdays, with departures from Howrah at 6:10 am and from Puri at 1:50 pm. The train makes stops at seven stations: Khurda Road Junction, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kharagpur Junction.

The decision to increase the train’s capacity was made after a comprehensive review of passenger demand, emphasizing the Puri–Howrah route as highly popular among daily commuters and tourists. This enhancement is expected to improve travel convenience, reduce waitlists, and further elevate the popularity of this premium service.

Since its launch, the train’s patronage has significantly increased. From an initial occupancy rate of 70–80%, it has now reached over 110%. Currently, Train No. 22895 (Howrah–Puri) shows an occupancy of 110.9%, while Train No. 22896 (Puri–Howrah) stands at 109.2%. Specifically, the AC Chair Car classes boast a patronization of 110.65%, with Executive Chair Car coaches recording 103.19%.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, announced on Friday that the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to protecting future generations from the drug crisis. Kejriwal expressed his satisfaction with the recent successes of the Punjab Police in dismantling drug networks, emphasizing that the anti-drug initiative is unprecedented in contemporary Indian history.

He commended the eradication of properties built with drug money, which have been demolished by authorities.

Kejriwal criticized previous governments for not only enabling drug dealers but also using state vehicles for their operations. In contrast, he affirmed that the Mann-led administration is taking decisive action against drug-related issues to ensure that the youth do not succumb to addiction. The Nasha Mukti Yatra has successfully reached every village in the state as part of this ambitious effort.

Calling for widespread support from the Punjabi populace in the fight against drugs, he stated that if three crore Punjabis unite, the drug problem could be eradicated in just 24 hours. He believes that a small number of smugglers cannot withstand the collective strength of the people.

The AAP leader outlined a dual strategy for the fight against drugs: curbing smuggling and channeling the positive energy of youth. He asserted that Punjab will soon be free from drug issues and will emerge as a leading state in the country.

Kejriwal congratulated the Mann-led government for the success of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, noting the transformation of villages previously known for drug activity into drug-free areas. In stark contrast to earlier times, when drug lords received government protection, 10,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, including 8,500 major players.

He emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement, with plans for community interactions in approximately 13,000 villages. To harness the positive energy of youth, the government plans to build stadiums in every village and construct 3,000 gyms in larger villages to promote sports across the state.

In what marks the largest drug seizure of 2025, the Tarn Taran Police, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s ongoing anti-drug initiative ‘Yudh Nashian De Virudh’, has dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling ring orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI and operated by a UK-based handler named Lalli. DGP Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, announced on Friday that Lalli’s India-based associate was arrested, resulting in the recovery of 85 kg of heroin.

The suspect, Amarjot Singh, known as Jota Sandhu, used his residence in Bhittewad village, Amritsar, as a primary stash location for the drug operation.

DGP Gaurav Yadav indicated that Amarjot was following Lalli’s directives and was receiving heroin shipments transported by drones from across the border. Investigations have unveiled that he sourced heroin from various border points and distributed it to local suppliers for further distribution throughout Punjab.

Ongoing investigations aim to trace both backward and forward linkages in this case, with additional arrests and recoveries anticipated soon.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran, Abhimanyu Rana, shared that, acting on credible intelligence, a police team from the CIA Staff, led by DSP (D) Gurinderpal Singh Nagra, executed a targeted operation. They apprehended Amarjot Singh near Chabal Road in Tarn Taran, seizing 5 kg of heroin from his Activa scooter.

Upon interrogation, Amarjot revealed that he had hidden two shipments of 40 kg each—one at Rakh Sarai Amanat Khan and another concealed within a washing machine at his Bhittewad residence. Police teams swiftly responded to both locations, successfully recovering the heroin, thus escalating the total seizure to 85 kg.

The SSP mentioned that efforts are ongoing to identify the entire network of suppliers, dealers, buyers, and hawala operators to ascertain the total amount of drugs linked to the arrested individual. A case has been registered under FIR No. 118 dated May 15, 2025, under Sections 21(c) and 25 of the NDPS Act at Tarn Taran City Police Station.