National

UP Government Implements Proactive Measures to Address Urban Flooding

Published

11 months ago

March 3, 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is taking proactive measures to tackle urban flooding.
The Urban Development Department has been tasked with prioritizing modern drainage solutions, implementing flood prevention strategies, and reinforcing riverbanks to alleviate waterlogging and flood hazards.
As part of this initiative, advanced drainage systems are being constructed in major municipal corporations such as Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Shahjahanpur. To support these developments, the government has allocated Rs 750 crore, which will be used for upgrading drainage systems, redeveloping existing infrastructure, and constructing new facilities in these cities.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently convened a meeting to enhance the drainage and flood control strategies in urban areas. In this meeting, he instructed the Urban Development Department and Jal Nigam to fortify sewage and drainage systems, ensure regular maintenance of drains, encourage rainwater harvesting, and establish new pumping stations to combat waterlogging challenges.

Officials reported on Monday that as part of the Smart City Mission, efforts are underway to upgrade drainage systems to mitigate flooding. Special projects are also being launched in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur to address urban flooding effectively. In these cities, drainage networks are being digitized for real-time monitoring and rapid emergency response.

To bolster these initiatives, the Chief Minister has unveiled Rs 733 crore for improving the drainage systems in Lucknow, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Mathura, and Shahjahanpur. In Lucknow, Rs 193.73 crore has been earmarked for the redevelopment of the Qila Mohammadi drain, which spans 10.571 km and will benefit about 250,000 residents. Additionally, the Geetapalli drain will be rerouted through a 4.435 km RCC drainage line, costing Rs 112.47 crore, which will aid 500,000 people.

In Meerut, Rs 156.79 crore is designated for the construction of the Oden drain, covering an area of 18.33 sq km and benefiting 435,000 individuals. Ghaziabad is set to construct the Shahberi drain, with an investment of Rs 132.65 crore, addressing waterlogging concerns for 390,000 residents.

In Mathura, Rs 89.71 crore will be allocated for the Bhuteshwar to Ambakhar drain project, serving 75,000 residents. Meanwhile, Shahjahanpur will receive Rs 47.75 crore to enhance drainage from Roza Adda to Damah Puliya, promoting better water management in the city.

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.