Natioanal

New Delhi/Guwahati: India has unveiled a strategic plan to secure the narrow and vulnerable “Chicken Neck” corridor by constructing an underground rail link, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity to the Northeast. The move comes amid growing regional tensions and strategic concerns involving Bangladesh and other neighboring countries. Securing the Strategic CorridorAccording to the Times of India, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday confirmed that India’s plan to safeguard the Chicken Neck corridor—a 25-kilometer-wide stretch connecting the Northeast to the rest of India—includes laying underground railway tracks. This segment, surrounded by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, is considered critical for both civilian and military transit. The Northeast Frontier Railway’s General Man...

In a show of support and celebration, NDA lawmakers warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a parliamentary meeting in New Delhi following the historic India-U.S. trade deal. Lawmakers congratulated the Prime Minister for securing a significant agreement that reduces U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. Historic Trade Deal and Tariff ReductionOn Monday night, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian products from 25% to 18%. Following the announcement, both leaders expressed mutual gratitude. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the decision, highlighting the benefits for India’s 1.4 billion citizens. Posting on social media platform X, PM Modi said:"It was a pleasure to speak with my dear friend President Donald Trump today. I am delighted that tariffs on ...

As the country braces for the lingering cold, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for moderate to heavy rainfall across eight states over the next 12 hours. Meanwhile, dense fog is expected in 17 districts of North India. In hilly regions, snowfall may disrupt travel and pose challenges for commuters. Heavy Rainfall Forecasted in Eight StatesThe IMD has predicted that by evening, eight states are likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds of 40-50 km/h, which could intensify the cold. The states under alert include Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. People in hilly states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are advised to...

The Central Government has taken cognizance of the recent water pollution incident in Bagirathpura, Indore, and is providing financial and technical assistance to states under schemes such as AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0. The government has identified old pipelines in the area and included them under AMRUT 2.0. Tenders for four water supply project packages in Indore have already been issued. Government Assistance and Pipeline UpgradationUnion Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is assisting states through AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 schemes following the outbreak in Bagirathpura, where several deaths due to diarrhea and vomiting have been reported since December. The pipelines in the area date back to 1997, and some are damaged. Conse...

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has questioned the government’s excessive reaction that halted proceedings in the Lok Sabha over Rahul Gandhi being stopped from citing excerpts from former Army Chief M. M. Naravane’s unpublished memoirs. Tharoor asked why the government appears to be afraid of open discussion, noting that the article Gandhi referenced is already publicly available. Exaggerated Government Reaction Disrupted Parliamentary ProceedingsSpeaking in Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor criticized the government for its overreaction, which led to the suspension of House proceedings. “The government responded unnecessarily and in an exaggerated manner. From what I understand, the issue Rahul Gandhi wanted to raise is already publicly accessible,” he said. Publicly Avail...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on India, expressing gratitude to President Donald Trump. Following this move, tariffs on “Made in India” products will be reduced to 18%, a step the Prime Minister described as highly positive for India’s 1.4 billion people. Both nations’ cooperation, he noted, is expected to benefit citizens and open new avenues for collaboration. PM Modi Hails the Tariff ReductionSpeaking from New Delhi, PM Modi said he was delighted to speak with his “dear friend” President Trump and learn about the reduction in tariffs on Indian products. He thanked Trump for the decision, highlighting that it represents a positive development for all Indians. “The collaboration between two of the world’s largest economies an...

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the extension of rail services to Uri in Jammu & Kashmir, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) already prepared. The budget also includes plans for seven new high-speed rail corridors, including the Delhi-Varanasi route. Additionally, 238 new automatic trains will be introduced to ease congestion on Mumbai locals. Uri Rail Service to Boost Connectivity in J&KFollowing the operationalization of the rail link from Katra to Srinagar, Indian Railways is now preparing to extend train services from Baramulla to Uri, near the Pakistan border. Minister Vaishnaw stated that the DPR is complete, and work will commence soon. Seven New High-Speed Rail Corridors AnnouncedRailways received a record budget of ₹2.78 lakh crore this year. Th...