Category Archives: regional development

Senior Railway Board Officials Review Infrastructure Progress in Bengaluru Division

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**Railway Board Conducts Key Infrastructure Review Meeting in Bengaluru Division**

A review meeting was held on Friday in the Bengaluru Division, led by senior officials from the Railway Board, to assess the status and progress of vital infrastructure projects in the region.

The meeting was chaired by Vikas Kumar, Executive Director (Public Grievances) to the Hon’ble Minister of Railways; S.M. Sharma, PEDME (Coaching), Railway Board; and Dhananjay Singh, EDPG to the Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways.

Officials conducted a detailed review of ongoing and proposed works, focusing on critical aspects such as land acquisition, project implementation timelines, and the elimination of level crossing (LC) gates to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency.

A significant topic discussed was the proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Maintenance Depot at Thanisandra, Bengaluru. This facility is expected to support the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper variant trains by providing dedicated maintenance infrastructure.

The Railway Board officials also received updates on projects being undertaken by K-RIDE and deliberated on plans for the decongestion of KSR Bengaluru Station.

The meeting saw the participation of Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division; ADRMs Parikshit Mohan Puria and Praveen Kataraki; along with other senior officers from the division.

This collaborative review underscores the Railway Board’s commitment to advancing infrastructure development and operational efficiency in the Bengaluru region.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/senior-railway-board-officials-review-infrastructure-progress-in-bengaluru-division

Bihar elections 2025: AIMIM leader Owaisi to launch Seemanchal Nyay Yatra

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Bihar elections are just around the corner, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) striving to maintain its lead over the opposition. At the same time, the INDIA bloc appears to be adopting a progressive approach to contesting the assembly elections in Bihar.

As reported by news agency PTI, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi is set to kickstart the Bihar Assembly elections campaign with the “Seemanchal Nyay Yatra” from September 24 to September 27 in the Seemanchal region of Bihar. During the yatra, Owaisi will conduct roadshows and corner meetings across various assembly constituencies in Seemanchal, according to an official release by AIMIM.

The Hyderabad MP will launch the Seemanchal Nyay Yatra from Kishanganj, aiming to unite the people for development and to demand justice for the Seemanchal region. AIMIM’s official statement highlighted Owaisi’s focus on the region’s backwardness. He has also introduced a private members’ bill in the Lok Sabha, calling for the establishment of a ‘Seemanchal Region Development Council’ under Article 371 of the Constitution to address regional underdevelopment, as cited by PTI.

In the previous 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, AIMIM contested 25 assembly constituencies and won five seats, all located in the Seemanchal region. With the upcoming elections expected to be more challenging for every party, AIMIM is likely to contest more seats this time. Reports suggest that many influential political leaders and social workers are keen to contest elections on AIMIM tickets.

Meanwhile, the Congress party is also strategizing to strengthen its foothold in Bihar. On Monday, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and other prominent leaders will attend its working committee meeting in Patna on Wednesday, September 24.

AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru stated that the meeting is scheduled in Bihar due to the state’s significance as the site of the “second war of independence.” He further confirmed that the INDIA bloc’s Chief Ministerial candidate for Bihar will be RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, with the Congress officially endorsing the decision, according to PTI.

With parties gearing up for a fiercely contested election, the political landscape in Bihar promises to be dynamic and closely watched.

(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/bihar-elections-2025-aimim-leader-owaisi-to-launch-seemanchal-nyay-yatra-23595419

Conference Of Collectors & Commissioners On Oct 7-8; Officers To Discuss 8 Issues Including Health, Nutrition And Law & Order In Two Days

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**Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): State Officials to Discuss Key Issues at Upcoming Conference**

State officials in Madhya Pradesh have been deliberating over eight critical issues for the past two days in preparation for a major conference of collectors and commissioners scheduled for October 7 and 8, falling between the festivities of Dussehra and Diwali.

The conference will see the participation of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries, commissioners, inspectors general of police, superintendents of police, commissioners of municipal corporations, and chief executive officers of district Panchayats. Ministers from all departments and senior officers will also join to engage in detailed discussions.

### Conference Structure and Sessions

The two-day conference will include eight sessions, each dedicated to a specific theme. On the first day, topics such as health and nutrition, education, tribal and rural development, and law and order will be discussed. The second day will focus on urban administration, employment and industrialization, agriculture, and good governance.

Each session is allotted between one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes. During this time, there will be detailed presentations on each subject, followed by a question-and-answer segment and working presentations, culminating in a session conclusion.

### Key Topics to Be Covered

– **Health Sector:** Discussions will cover Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), malnutrition, sickle cell disease, and cloud control.
– **Education:** Focus will be on providing quality education and initiatives like Nipun Bharat.
– **Tribal Welfare and Rural Development:** Programs such as PM’s Jan Man, Adi Karmayogi, and the distribution of Pattas will be reviewed.
– **Law and Order:** Officials will address three key criminal laws, mining issues, crime control, cloud control, and road safety.

On the second day:

– **Urban Development:** Topics include the PM Housing Scheme and the Amrit Yojna.
– **Employment and Industrialization:** Discussions will revolve around skill development, startups, and PM Gati Shakti.
– **Agriculture:** Sessions will cover fertilisers, seeds, stubble management, natural farming, and micro-irrigation techniques.
– **Good Governance:** Focus will be on revenue case disposal, e-courts implementation, and land acquisition processes.

### Officers Appointed as Conveners

To ensure smooth coordination, specific officers have been appointed as conveners for each sector:

– **Health Sector:** Principal Secretary Sandeep Yadav and Secretary JV Rashmi
– **Education:** Secretary Sanjay Goyal
– **Tribal Welfare and Rural Development:** Additional Chief Secretary Deepali Rastogi and Principal Secretary Gulshan Bamra
– **Law and Order:** ACS Sheo Shekhar Shukla, DGP Kailash Makwana, and Secretary Manish Singh
– **Urban Administration:** ACS Sanjay Dubey, Commissioner of Urban Development Sanket Bhondwe, and Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Shrikant Banoth
– **Employment and Industries:** PS Raghvendra Singh, Manish Singh, and Director (Budget) Rajeev Meena
– **Agriculture:** ACS Ashok Barnwal and Secretary Nishant Barbade
– **Good Governance:** ACS Sanjay Shukla and PS Manish Rastogi

Additionally, a group of collectors has been formed to prepare group presentations. Separate teams have also been constituted for each sector to facilitate focused and effective discussions.

The outcomes of these sessions will be compiled and presented before the government to guide future administrative actions and policy decisions.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/conference-of-collectors-commissioners-on-oct-7-8-officers-to-discuss-8-issues-including-health-nutrition-and-law-order-in-two-days

Asia Mobiliti to launch demand-responsive transit service in Muscat in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Transport

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**DRT Combines Private Transport Convenience with Public Transport Affordability**

Asia Mobiliti, Malaysia’s leading Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) technology company, in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), has announced the upcoming launch of Oman’s first Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) service in Muscat.

The announcement was made during the Gulf Green Mobility Forum held earlier this month in Salalah, a significant regional gathering of transport ministers from across the GCC and beyond. The forum showcased major initiatives shaping the future of sustainable mobility.

### Introducing Community Demand-Responsive Transit

The pilot project will introduce a community DRT service — a flexible form of public transport that dynamically adjusts routes and schedules based on passenger demand. Utilizing smaller vehicles, this model extends the reach of public transport into neighborhoods that are not served by traditional bus lines, while minimizing empty runs and significantly reducing operational costs.

For Oman, the importance of this pilot goes beyond just technology. DRT offers the convenience of private transportation combined with the affordability of public transport. It provides a scalable approach to improving accessibility, reducing inefficiencies, and developing a more inclusive mobility system for residents, said Asia Mobiliti.

### A Milestone in Oman’s Public Transport Journey

The launch of this pilot marks a crucial step forward in Oman’s public transport evolution. Demand-Responsive Transit bridges the gap between fixed-route services and private transport, offering a financially sustainable and socially inclusive mobility model.

“We believe technology cannot simply be transplanted from one market to another,” said Ramachandran Muniandy, CEO and co-founder of Asia Mobiliti. “For Oman, we are working closely with the ministry and local partners to tailor the service to the culture and needs of its people, crafting a solution that truly belongs here.”

### Supporting Sustainability and Electrification Goals

Eng. Abdullah Al-Busaidi, Director General of the Oman Logistics Centre at MTCIT, emphasized the significance of the pilot: “This marks an important milestone in Oman’s journey towards sustainable mobility. Demand-Responsive Transit provides a practical solution to improve accessibility while reducing inefficiencies in the transport system.”

He added, “By starting with community DRT, we are testing an approach that can help us reach underserved areas, optimize resources, and advance our national net-zero objectives. This pilot also lays an excellent foundation for electrification, where flexible operations and intelligent routing can maximize the benefits of zero-emission fleets, supporting Oman’s broader logistics innovation agenda.”

### Building Towards an Integrated MaaS Ecosystem

The DRT pilot is a strategic move toward building a fully integrated Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) system in Oman. By addressing current gaps in the transport network and encouraging a shift toward shared and sustainable travel, DRT sets the foundation for greater public transport adoption.

Looking ahead, this initiative paves the way for a MaaS ecosystem that seamlessly connects different modes of travel, ensures interoperability across services, and delivers a truly integrated mobility experience for all residents and visitors in Oman.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/startups/asia-mobiliti-launch-demand-responsive-transit-service-muscat-collaboration-omans-ministry

Supreme Court Lifts 25-Year Construction Ban In MP’s Pachmarhi Cantonment

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**Supreme Court Lifts 25-Year Ban on Construction in Pachmarhi Cantonment, Allows G+3 Floors**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has lifted a 25-year-old ban on construction in the Pachmarhi cantonment area. The court’s ruling now permits the construction of houses up to ground plus three floors (G+3), bringing much-needed relief to approximately 12,000 residents living within the 1,000-hectare cantonment zone.

Senior advocate Vivek Tankha, representing the Cantonment Board, highlighted the challenges posed by the earlier restrictions. He explained that the small plot sizes in the cantonment—some as tiny as 200 to 300 square feet—made construction practically impossible under the previous regulations.

The Supreme Court has directed the implementation of the G+3 construction plan for all new buildings in the region. This move follows recommendations made in March 2018 by a Supreme Court-appointed committee, which advocated permitting G+3 structures to address the ongoing difficulties faced by residents.

The original construction ban was imposed in 2000. Since then, the Cantonment Board had actively sought relief, including filing an intervention application in 2008 against restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court’s empowered committee. This committee was initially set up to monitor and curb illegal constructions in national parks.

Commenting on the recent verdict, Tankha tweeted that the decision would be a source of long-awaited relief for Pachmarhi’s residents. Additionally, Lovekesh Sahu, the office superintendent of the Cantonment Board, stated that the Supreme Court ruling resolves the long-standing challenges faced by those owning small plots in the area.

This development promises to pave the way for improved housing opportunities and better urban planning within the Pachmarhi cantonment, benefiting its thousands of inhabitants.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/supreme-court-lifts-25-year-construction-ban-in-mps-pachmarhi-cantonment

Supreme Court Lifts 25-Year Construction Ban In MP’s Pachmarhi Cantonment

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**Supreme Court Lifts 25-Year Ban on Construction in Pachmarhi Cantonment**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Supreme Court has lifted the 25-year-old ban on construction in the Pachmarhi cantonment area, permitting houses up to ground plus three (G+3) floors. This significant move is expected to benefit approximately 12,000 residents living within the 1,000-hectare cantonment zone.

Senior advocate Vivek Tankha, representing the Cantonment Board, highlighted the challenges faced by residents due to earlier restrictions. He pointed out that the small plot sizes—sometimes as little as 200 to 300 square feet—made construction virtually impossible under the previous regulations.

The Supreme Court has directed the implementation of the G+3 plan for all new constructions in the cantonment area, marking a progressive change in building norms. The original ban on construction had been imposed back in 2000.

In March 2018, a committee appointed by the Supreme Court had recommended allowing G+3 construction, paving the way for this recent decision.

Expressing optimism about the ruling, Vivek Tankha tweeted that it would bring much-needed relief to the residents of Pachmarhi.

Lovekesh Sahu, office superintendent of the Cantonment Board, noted that the Supreme Court’s decision resolves the long-standing challenges faced by residents owning small plots in the region.

The Cantonment Board had earlier filed an intervention application in 2008 against restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court’s empowered committee, which was initially formed to monitor illegal constructions in national parks.

This landmark verdict is expected to spur development and improve living conditions in Pachmarhi cantonment after more than two decades of construction restrictions.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/supreme-court-lifts-25-year-construction-ban-in-mps-pachmarhi-cantonment