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Vaishnaw: Odisha’s Railway Infrastructure Set for Unprecedented Expansion

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On Monday, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Centre has allocated Rs 10,599 crore for railway development in Odisha, marking a 12.5-fold increase compared to the funding provided by the previous NDA government. Between 2009 and 2014, the NDA government had sanctioned only Rs 838 crore for railway projects in the coastal state, making this new allocation a landmark achievement in the state’s railway financing.

The Rail Budget 2025 heralds a transformative phase for Odisha’s railway infrastructure, poised to enhance growth, modernization, and connectivity within the state. The Minister emphasized that the ongoing projects and future investments would solidify Odisha’s role as a crucial component of India’s railway network while significantly boosting regional economic development.

Over the past three years, Odisha has benefited from more than Rs 10,000 crore annually allocated to railway development, totaling Rs 78,000 crore in investments for the sector. Additionally, the current government has sanctioned another Rs 20,000 crore worth of projects, according to Vaishnaw, a Rajya Sabha member from Odisha.

Highlighting the expansion of the railway network in Odisha between 2014 and 2025, Vaishnaw reported that 186 km of new tracks will be laid—3.5 times more than the 53 km added in the preceding period. He noted a remarkable 4.5-fold increase in electrification efforts, with 138 km of electrified track achieved during this term compared to a mere 29 km previously.

The minister also detailed significant infrastructure advancements, stating that over 2,046 km of new tracks have been built since 2014, exceeding the entire rail network of Malaysia. Odisha has achieved 100% electrification, with 1,516 km of track now electrified. Presently, 48 new track projects are in progress, covering a total of 4,784 km, with an investment of Rs 73,723 crore.

The railway budget allocates Rs 2,379 crore for the development of 59 stations across Odisha, including major hubs such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, and Rourkela. The Kavach safety system has been approved for 1,898 km of rail line, with ongoing work and tendering for 645 km; 1,000 locomotives will be integrated with this system to enhance safety, as highlighted by Vaishnaw.

In terms of amenities and infrastructure improvements, the Minister noted that since 2014, 522 rail flyovers and under-bridges have been constructed, alongside the installation of 43 lifts, 18 escalators, and Wi-Fi access at 234 stations. Currently, six Vande Bharat trains operate across Odisha, connecting 17 districts and 25 designated stops, providing passengers with modern, high-speed travel options.

Furthermore, the Amrit Bharat Express, which runs between Malda Town and Bengaluru, enhances connectivity across five states. The multi-tracking project from Kolkata to Chennai is progressing swiftly, with substantial work completed between Kolkata and Bhadrak; third-line work is already underway, and future plans include a fourth line, Vaishnaw remarked.

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

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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.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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