Rajasthan

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: The golden city of Jaisalmer is in full festive swing as tourists from across India and abroad flock to celebrate New Year 2026. From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, the city’s tourism season has reached its peak, with families taking advantage of winter holidays to enjoy the desert splendor. Crowds at Key AttractionsPopular sites such as Sonar Fort, Patwa Haveli, Salim Singh Haveli, Nathmal Haveli, and Gadisar Lake are witnessing unprecedented crowds, causing traffic-like conditions in some areas. Tourists have arrived from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country. Hotels and Resorts Fully BookedHotels and resorts are housefull, with room rates soaring up to four times the normal charges. Over 7,000 t...

Udaipur, Rajasthan: In a shocking case involving an IT company in Udaipur, the police have recovered crucial evidence from one of the accused in a gangrape complaint filed by a female manager of the same firm. The victim’s clothing was found at the home of an accused, and authorities are now advancing their investigation based on voice samples, medical reports, and witness statements. The incident, which came to light on December 24, has left the city stunned. According to the police, the victim alleged that during the CEO’s birthday and New Year’s party on December 20, she was given intoxicating substances and sexually assaulted over a period of three hours while being driven in a car. The accused include the company CEO, a female executive head, and her husband. Evidence Recovered ...

Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a significant organizational move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed six state-level wing presidents in Rajasthan, signaling a strategic push ahead of upcoming elections and social engagements. Among the key appointments, Shankar Gora has been entrusted with the leadership of the Youth Wing. The appointments come amid ongoing discussions about cabinet reshuffles and board-level postings in the state. The party, now in power, has focused on strengthening its organizational structure by bringing experienced leaders as well as fresh faces into critical positions. Shankar Gora: A Rising LeaderShankar Gora, who has risen through student politics, previously served as the State Joint Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and later as ...

A series of three major fire incidents in a single day sent shockwaves across Jaipur on December 29, raising serious concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in the Rajasthan capital. Fires broke out at a coaching institute in Mahesh Nagar, a residential apartment in Karni Vihar, and a JCB warehouse on Ajmer Road, triggering panic across the city. Although no casualties were reported, the incidents narrowly averted major tragedies and exposed glaring lapses in safety measures. Coaching Students Caught in Flames and Smoke The most alarming incident occurred late at night in Sultan Nagar, Mahesh Nagar, where a transformer explosion followed by a short circuit sparked a massive fire. Burning sparks quickly spread to a nearby coaching institute, engulfing the building whil...

Tourists planning to explore Jaipur’s world-famous forts and monuments will have to dig deeper into their pockets from the New Year, as the Rajasthan Archaeology Department has announced a steep hike in entry ticket prices for major heritage sites across the state. The revised rates, which come into effect from January 1, apply to nearly all prominent monuments in Jaipur, including Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall Museum, Nahargarh Fort, and Isarlat. The department issued an official notification on Monday detailing the new pricing structure. Two- to Three-Fold Increase in Ticket Prices According to the order, ticket prices for both domestic and foreign tourists have been increased by two to three times at several locations. Student concession rates have also been...

Dungarpur, Rajasthan: A routine district development review meeting turned into a tense showdown on Monday as BJP and BAP leaders engaged in a heated verbal confrontation, leaving the political atmosphere in Dungarpur charged with tension. The clash involved MPs from both parties and escalated to a point where administrative officers and security personnel had to intervene. Dispute Erupts Over AgendaThe meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA), held at the EDP Hall of the District Council, saw the first sparks of conflict when BAP MP Rajkumar Roat from Banswara raised state government issues outside the scheduled agenda. Udaipur’s BJP MP Mannalal Rawat objected, emphasizing that DISHA meetings are meant to review central government schemes. This ...

JAIPUR – The Rajasthan Electricity Department has embarked on a massive project to install 1.42 crore (14.2 million) smart meters across the state. Currently, around 1.5 million meters have already been installed, with engineers going door-to-door to modernize the power distribution system. The key objective of this initiative is to reduce electricity theft, minimize losses, and provide transparent billing to consumers. What Are Smart Meters and Why Are They Being Installed?Smart meters are digital, advanced metering devices that record electricity usage in real-time. The data is transmitted directly to the distribution company’s servers, eliminating estimated bills and manual meter readings. The benefits include: Accurate billing with no discrepancies Reduced need for field staf...

Dausa, Rajasthan: The political debate over the Aravali mountain range has intensified in Dausa, with Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirodilal Meena leveling serious allegations against Congress MP Murarilal Meena. The minister claimed that the MP, who advocates for Aravali conservation, excavated parts of the hills to construct a private residence. Minister’s AccusationsMinister Meena stated that the central government has prohibited mining and granting leases in the Aravali region. He accused the Congress of extensive damage to the hills during its 60-year governance, claiming that no other period caused as much destruction. Highlighting his party’s commitment to environmental protection, he added that around 200 million trees were planted across the state during the Bhajanlal government’...

A tragic road accident occurred early Tuesday on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar, Rajasthan, due to dense fog. A sleeper bus collided head-on with a canter, resulting in the death of one person and serious injuries to two others. Traffic on the expressway was temporarily disrupted following the accident. Accident DetailsThe collision took place at Chainage 147.7 in the Raini police jurisdiction. The canter driver, Asif, a resident of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, died on the spot. Two passengers from the bus, Salman and Bilal, also from Amroha, were critically injured and hospitalized for treatment. Police and Administrative ResponseRaini police reached the scene immediately, securing the area and transferring the deceased to Raini Hospital mortuary. Alwar’s Superintendent of Police al...

In a major policy update, the Rajasthan government has made Aadhaar or Jan-Aadhaar mandatory for outpatient (OPD) registration at all state-run hospitals. The decision, issued by the Health Department on 22 December, aims to streamline patient data management and accelerate the ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID registration process. Mandatory for OPD RegistrationAccording to the order, all patients visiting government medical institutions must present their Aadhaar or Jan-Aadhaar number at the time of OPD registration. District administrations have also been instructed to strictly monitor compliance, and any violation of the directive will invite action. Uncertainty for Patients Without AadhaarWhile the initiative is expected to improve record-keeping and efficiency, officials...