ASHWINI VAISHNAW RAILWAYS
Foundation stone laid for India's first advanced 3D chip packaging unit in Odisha's Info Valley
Union Minister for Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the foundation stone of a semiconductor plant has been laid in Odisha on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. He said the upcoming facility marks a significant step for high-tech manufacturing in the state, adding that he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Vaishnaw calls 3DGS semiconductor plant foundation in Odisha a 'historic day, says state emerging as IT hub
Odisha is set to become a major center for advanced technology and electronics manufacturing. The foundation for a semiconductor plant has been laid, marking a historic day for the state. This development will boost Odisha's semiconductor ecosystem. Global leaders like Intel and Lockheed Martin are investors. The state is diversifying its industrial base beyond metals and minerals.
Cabinet extends validity of third phase of rural road scheme, raises outlay to Rs 83,977 crore
The Union Cabinet has extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III deadline to March 2028 for plain areas and March 2029 for mountainous areas. This revised outlay of Rs 83,977 crore aims to boost the rural economy by improving market access and reducing transport costs.
Cabinet meeting key decisions: Maritime insurance pool, DA hike for 1.18 crore government staff, new rail corridor among others
The Union Cabinet has approved significant decisions impacting infrastructure and social security. A new Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool will boost domestic capacity. Central government employees and pensioners will see a Dearness Allowance and Relief hike. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III receives an extension. A new rail corridor in Uttar Pradesh is also cleared, enhancing connectivity.
‘Furnace’, ‘human oven’: Why people are worried about non-AC local trains with closed doors in hot and humid Mumbai
Mumbai is introducing India's first non-AC suburban train with automatic sliding doors, a safety upgrade following a fatal accident. The new 12-coach rake aims to prevent open-door travel fatalities by adopting a closed-door system similar to Metro services, though concerns about heat and humidity remain.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a crucial meeting on the West Asia conflict. The government is closely monitoring the situation. Measures are being taken to protect India's interests and minimize the impact on citizens. Steps include customs duty exemptions and support for industries. Domestic LPG supply is prioritized, with action against hoarding.

Industries minister urges railway ministry to launch Bengaluru-Vijayapura express train
Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil has urged the Union Railway Minister to introduce a long-awaited express train service connecting Bengaluru and Vijayapura. This request follows the recent completion of a crucial double-line railway section. The new service aims to significantly reduce the current 15-hour travel time, benefiting thousands of residents who travel daily for various purposes.

Three key railway projects for Rajasthan's border areas in the works
A railways spokesperson said that plans are afoot to strengthen the rail network in border regions, particularly in Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer, by laying new railway lines.

FICCI FLO annual session: Empowering 16 lakh women for Viksit Bharat 2047
The organization focused on entrepreneurship, skilling, and livelihood creation. A new report was released detailing gender diversity challenges and opportunities in India's services sector.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to develop centre for precision manufacturing: Vaishnaw
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will establish a center of excellence for precision manufacturing, aiming to graduate 1000 students annually in this field. The university will also expand its offerings to include the maritime sector, with no funding constraints. This initiative aims to create a talent pipeline for the electronics, marine, aviation, and railways industries.

Around 1,068 hectares of railway land is under encroachment: Railway Minister
Indian Railways faces encroachment on 1,068 hectares, a mere 0.21% of its vast landholdings. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted technological advancements like drone surveys and digitization to curb new encroachments. He emphasized a humanitarian approach for existing cases, often collaborating with state governments for solutions, while also focusing on transparent land utilization for development.

Cabinet clears India's 2035 climate targets: NDC targets 60% clean energy share, 47% emissions reduction by 2035
India has finalized its 2035 climate targets. These goals aim to increase non-fossil fuel electricity generation to 60 percent. The nation will also reduce its economy's emission intensity by 47 percent from 2005 levels. Additionally, India plans to boost its nature-based carbon sink. These commitments signal India's steady climate strategy and focus on implementation.

Over 3 crore fake accounts removed from IRCTC portal: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Indian Railways has removed over three crore fake accounts from the IRCTC portal to stop ticket touts. Most train seats, 78 percent, are in non-AC categories, ensuring affordable travel. Over 75,000 special trains have run this financial year. Railway safety has also improved significantly, with accidents down 90 percent.

Indian Railways tightens contract execution framework
Indian Railways is implementing reforms to enhance construction quality, including assessing contractor bid capacity for projects over Rs 10 crore and introducing stricter sub-contracting limits. New wagons for salt and automobile transport have been approved, and ticket cancellation refund norms are tightened to curb touting. Passenger concerns are also addressed with relaxed rules for changing train boarding stations.

Cancelling train tickets? Indian Railways has just changed the cancellation charges
Indian Railways has updated its ticket cancellation policy, introducing a tiered refund system based on departure time. Passengers cancelling over 72 hours ahead get the highest refund with a small fee. Penalties escalate significantly as departure nears, with no refunds allowed for cancellations less than 8 hours before travel. These changes aim for clearer refund guidelines.

CCS reviews situation arising due to West Asia conflict; energy, fuel security assessed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to review the West Asia conflict's impact on India. The committee assessed critical needs like food, energy, and fuel security, directing a dedicated group to manage the effects. Measures for short, medium, and long-term availability of essential commodities were discussed.

Western Railway’s SARAL makes refund of failed payments easy
Western Railway has introduced a new QR code system called SARAL. This facility aims to speed up refunds for passengers facing issues with digital payments. Passengers can now file claims from anywhere by scanning the QR code. This new system is currently on a pilot basis in Mumbai. It will be extended if successful.

Officials can travel if norms permit: Ashwini Vaishnaw on free Palace on Wheels, Maharaja Express trips
Railway officials can travel with families on Indian Railways trains strictly following set norms. This clarification came from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha. The minister also provided an update on development works at Karur railway station. Several improvements have been completed, with more ongoing.

Railways transformed in a decade, says Ashwini Vaishnaw; bats for ‘performance politics’
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Modi government has shifted to performance-based politics, emphasizing significant improvements in the railways over the past decade. He highlighted a ₹2.78 lakh crore demand for grants for 2026-27, annual rail fare subsidies of ₹60,000 crore, and the ongoing progress of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project, with its first section expected in 2027.

Switching to electric power has saved Railways Rs 6,000 crore: Ashwini Vaishnaw in Lok Sabha
Indian Railways is making waves in the transportation sector, achieving Rs 6,000 crore in savings by embracing electric trains. This innovative shift has positioned them as the world’s second-largest freight mover, with 35,000 km of track and 27,000 km fully electrified. While staff wages take the lion’s share of expenditures, energy costs are a close second.

Cabinet clears Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 & other projects worth Rs 8.8 lakh crore
In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has greenlit a series of transformative infrastructure and public utility initiatives, totaling an impressive Rs 8.7 lakh crore. Top of the agenda is Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, aimed at revolutionizing rural access to clean drinking water.

Railways moves to reboot decade-old PPP policy to cut investor risk
Indian Railways is proposing significant changes to its decade-old PPP policy to boost private investment. Key amendments include extending concession periods to 50 years and shifting the entire land acquisition responsibility to the railways, aiming to reduce investor risk and accelerate project execution.

Indian Railways launches Rail Tech Policy to promote innovation, start-up engagement
Indian Railways has launched a new Rail Tech policy designed to attract innovators, startups, and research institutions to co-create the future of rail transport. By streamlining the startup selection process, the initiative speeds up the testing and deployment of promising solutions.

New Rail Tech policy unveiled to tap startups
Indian Railways has launched a new Rail Tech policy to encourage innovation. This policy aims to involve startups and industry in developing solutions for railway challenges. Grants for prototype development and trials have been significantly increased. The initiative seeks to improve safety and efficiency across the railway network. Successful innovations may also be exported.
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