National

Rajasthan: Task Force Established to Accelerate Yamuna Water Sharing Project

Published

11 months ago

March 13, 2025

The formation of a joint task force aimed at preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the significant project of sharing Yamuna waters between Haryana and Rajasthan is anticipated to proceed swiftly.

“The Haryana Government established the task force on March 5, and the panel is expected to complete the DPR within the next four months,” stated Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma during a speech at the state assembly on Wednesday evening.

This initiative aligns with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Rajasthan and Haryana in New Delhi on February 17 of the previous year, which aims to provide surplus floodwaters from the Yamuna to the drought-prone districts of the Shekhawati region in Rajasthan.

The agreement was reached following extensive discussions among representatives from both states, the Jal Shakti Ministry, the Upper Yamuna River Board, and the Central Water Commission, with the oversight of CM Sharma, the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal, and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Originally, the establishment of the joint task force and the drafting of the DPR were scheduled to be completed within four months, by June of last year. However, this timeline has been delayed by nearly a year due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and the subsequent Haryana Assembly elections.

The agreement highlights the importance of creating storage facilities to optimize the use of Yamuna water by the co-basin states in accordance with their respective allocations as outlined in the MoU of May 12, 1994, as stated by an official spokesman.

During its seventh meeting on February 15, 2018, the Upper Yamuna Review Committee advised Rajasthan to develop the DPR for transferring its share of Yamuna water from the Tajewala head in Haryana to Rajasthan, utilizing underground pipelines to convey the water to Jhunjhunu and Churu districts.

The MoU underlined the critical need for supplying Yamuna water to the Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and other districts in Rajasthan for drinking water and other essential purposes.

After extensive discussions, a consensus was achieved on February 17 of last year to collaboratively prepare the DPR for the water transfer project via underground pipelines, involving both state governments and the Centre.

The signed MoU ensures that both stakeholders will access water through these underground pipelines from July to October, up to 577 million cubic meters (MCM) for drinking and other needs in Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and other districts in Rajasthan, following the full utilization (24,000 cusecs) of the Western Yamuna Canal by Haryana, including the Delhi share at Hathnikund under Phase 1 of the project.

Additionally, three storage facilities will be constructed for Rajasthan. Once the three identified storage sites in the Upper Yamuna Basin—Renukaji, Lakhwar, and Kishau—are built, Rajasthan’s allocated water share at Hathnikund will be supplied through the same system throughout the rest of the year for drinking and irrigation, as far as feasible.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.